JHC issues notice on adulterated milk supply

After the Delhi High Court issued notices to the Government of Delhi on the issue of adulterated milk supply in the National Capital Region, the Jharkhand High Court on Thursday took suo motu  action following reports of adulterated milk being supplied in the State.
The action came in the wake of the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) report on milk adulteration across the country.
Taking suo motu action a division bench of Chief Justice PC Tatia and Justice PP Bhatt issued notice to the chief secretary, principal secretary of Animal Husbandry department, secretary of Health department and the manager of Sudha Dairy. The Court has directed to convert the matter into a Public Interest Litigation.
The division bench observed that the adulterated milk being supplied in the State was very harmful for the health of the common man as it is being used for various purposes.
The Jharkhand Government has so far remained silent on the issue of the sale of adulterated milk in the State and is yet to take a serious note on the crucial matter of public health and hygiene.
A National survey of Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) found that all 25 samples collected from Jharkhand failed to meet the standards of milk. Adulterants include fat, solid not fat (SNF), neutralisers, acids, hydrogen peroxide, sugar, starch, glucose, urea, salt detergent and formalin, which prove to be fatal for health.
The State Government is still apathetic to the problem of open sale of adulterated milk in the State. Despite sudden increase in the sale of milk due to the advent of Makarsankrantri festival the Government is not taking any step to stop the sale of adulterated milk .
When asked about the adulteration of milk in the State, the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Hemlal Murmu told The Pioneer, "There are no labs for conducting tests for purity of milk and food in the State and we are planning to set up labs to test food and milk for adulteration. Whoever is found guilty will be punished and severe action would be taken against that shopkeeper or milk supplier."
"This is a serious problem and measures are being taken to tackle it. Directions have been given to the officials to look into the matter," he said.
The national survey on milk adulteration in 2011 found almost 69 per cent samples failing the quality test and have found adulteration by water, skimmed milk powder, besides detergents.
The survey conducted by FSSAI to ascertain the quality of milk and find adulteration types, found that all the milk samples taken from Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal and Mizoram failed the quality test. Testing of milk samples from Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal also found presence of detergents.