OMFED supply unaffected by adulteration row

BHUBANESWAR: Reports on milk adulteration throughout the country have not affected the sale of Orissa State Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federation (OMFED) products, with its sale figures still on the rise. OMFED has come under fire following a report by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which revealed that samples collected from milk supplied in the State were found to be 100 per cent adulterated. A PIL has also been filed in the Orissa High Court in this connection.
OMFED milk supply has increased from 4,80,000 litres to 4,90,000 litres in the recent times. The milk supply is now set to reach the 5 lakh-litre mark, a senior OMFED official said.
Around 2.54 lakh farmers supply milk to OMFED on a daily basis.
Though at times the farmers add salt or sugar to meet the SNF (Solid Not Fat) content, on detection, such milk is rejected by OMFED.
OMFED authorities have created special squads, who are conducting surprise checks to curb adulteration.
Organoleptic tests are conducted by the OMFED authorities at every booth to check adulteration.
The ones that do not meet the required standards are rejected on the spot, the Omfed official said.
People by and large depend on OMFED for their daily quota of milk. Following the report on adulteration, people have started getting apprehensive.
“I don’t give preference to OMFED products, but still there is no alternative,” says Divya, a housewife.
Milk samples from OMFED, Kamdhenu and other private distributors have been taken by the Public Health department for examination. The reports of the tests are awaited.