Milking health

Milk, the most common form of nutrition among the masses, may be working on them in several ways except to the cause of good health. It could even turn out to be a good wash out with that gleaming whiteness for one's entrails as detergents are finding a respectful space in milk as a good adulterant. There fore detergents themselves have a dual purpose. 70% of the Milk samples collected by authorities from various parts of the country do not conform to standards.

A recent survey believed to be first of its kind conducted by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) reveals how far the science of adulteration has progressed in the country even while we are distressed over our poor record in scientific research and innovation vis-à-vis China. No Indian is possibly worried over adulteration of milk as it is an accepted practice as long as the limits are not crossed.

It is time to wake from the slumber and look around at the sophistication of adulteration in the digital age. The new 'value additions' to milk other than plain water, are cleaning detergents, urea, starch, formalin ,vegetable salt, Hydrogen peroxide and glucose and..........!.Detergents get in to milk on deliberate addition and also due to the lack of hygiene and sanitation in the handling and packaging of milk.The survey analysis points to redeeming factor that the south Indian states fare much better and there fore are getting a better deal. The states of Goa and Puduchery appear to be the only regions where the product is 100% compliant.

The Indian Council of Medical Research, in one of its reports, states detergents cause food poisoning and gastro-intestinal complications. The other synthetic compounds impair the functioning of various organs of the body, cause heart problems, cancer, and sometimes death. The immediate effect of drinking adulterated milk containing urea, caustic soda and formalin is gastroenteritis, but the long term effects are known to be far more serious.

The situation can be expected to go worse over the years going painful during the long summer of the year. The solution lies in improving the local supply in urban areas. we have built formidable wall that carries a cultural crisis. Western sanitation standards have got in our heads due to high education that many cannot stand the odour of cow dung-a proven manure, pesticide and anti-viral from ancient times. They curse the 'uncivilised' neighbour who takes up the heavy responsibility of cattle rearing, available at his work place from 4 AM every day. Unless we have a growing community of people to take up the 'dirty job' of diary activity as a noble profession amidst a few challenges, we have no escape from adulterated milk.