Mar 30, 2012
Centre confirms rampant adulteration of milk
The Government on Tuesday admitted that the milk Indians drink is highly adulterated. It confirmed that 68.4 per cent samples of milk tested last year did not conform to food safety regulations as per a national survey which was first reported by The Pioneer earlier this year.
“In the National Survey conducted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in 2011 to ascertain the quality of liquid milk throughout the country, 68.4 per cent samples were found not conforming to the norms,” Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said in the Rajya Sabha while replying to a query.
The Pioneer’s report, which appeared in January, was based on the survey and had become a hot topic of discussion among all stakeholders concerned, including consumers and authorities. The findings put a question mark on the important nutritional content in the milk being sold in the country.
Azad also belied the Delhi Government’s claim that milk quality in the city was as per the set standards. The Minister pointed out that as per the survey, out of the 71 samples picked last year, 50 were found to be sub-standard with additions of glucose and skimmed milk powder being detected.
Adulteration was found to be widely prevalent - in rural as well as urban areas - in both packed and loosely-sold milk. The samples were tested in the Government’s laboratories.
The situation was worst in States like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Mizoram where all samples collected were found to be adulterated and they did not confirm to the standards.
Goa and Puducherry were the exceptions with all samples being up to standards.
“The snap shot survey was conducted with an aim to identify common adulterants in milk in rural and urban areas in different States besides finding out the non-conforming samples in loose and packed milk throughout the country,” a senior official from the FSSAI had said.
“In the National Survey conducted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in 2011 to ascertain the quality of liquid milk throughout the country, 68.4 per cent samples were found not conforming to the norms,” Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said in the Rajya Sabha while replying to a query.
The Pioneer’s report, which appeared in January, was based on the survey and had become a hot topic of discussion among all stakeholders concerned, including consumers and authorities. The findings put a question mark on the important nutritional content in the milk being sold in the country.
Azad also belied the Delhi Government’s claim that milk quality in the city was as per the set standards. The Minister pointed out that as per the survey, out of the 71 samples picked last year, 50 were found to be sub-standard with additions of glucose and skimmed milk powder being detected.
Adulteration was found to be widely prevalent - in rural as well as urban areas - in both packed and loosely-sold milk. The samples were tested in the Government’s laboratories.
The situation was worst in States like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Mizoram where all samples collected were found to be adulterated and they did not confirm to the standards.
Goa and Puducherry were the exceptions with all samples being up to standards.
“The snap shot survey was conducted with an aim to identify common adulterants in milk in rural and urban areas in different States besides finding out the non-conforming samples in loose and packed milk throughout the country,” a senior official from the FSSAI had said.
16.3 lakh cans of energy drink seized in FDA raid
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized 16.3 lakh cans of the energy drink Red Bull worth Rs6.40 crore from two premises in Thane on Wednesday. A similar raid at a Vikroli–based distributor led to the seizure of 2,008 cans worth Rs 1.90 lakh.
FDA officials said the raid was conducted because the caffeine content in the energy drink was between 250 parts per million (ppm) and 300ppm. According to Indian food safety laws, the caffeine content permitted in carbonated beverages is 145 ppm.
Maharashtra has become the second state after Tamil Nadu to crack down on energy drink Red Bull for exceeding permissible limits on caffeine content.
Caffeine, a mildly addictive stimulant, is commonly found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and energy drinks. Increased caffeine consumption can lead to health problems such as anxiety, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, low heart rate and issues with maternal fertility.
“Caffeine is addictive and it has a long term impact. Youngsters today are increasingly consuming alcohol with Red Bull. Parents should be keeping a check on what their children are drinking,” said Mahesh Zagade, commissioner, FDA.
“Manufacturers claim it’s an energy drink and not a carbonated drink. But when you open a Red Bull can, there's fizz and it contains carbon dioxide. We are preparing for legal battle,” Zagade added.
Though there are no separate standards for caffeine content in energy drinks, the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 has stated that all drinks containing caffeine should follow the rules applicable to carbonated beverages.
At present, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is working on setting new norms for energy drinks. It is trying to create a new category for energy drinks to allow a higher caffeine content.
FDA officials said the raid was conducted because the caffeine content in the energy drink was between 250 parts per million (ppm) and 300ppm. According to Indian food safety laws, the caffeine content permitted in carbonated beverages is 145 ppm.
Caffeine, a mildly addictive stimulant, is commonly found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and energy drinks. Increased caffeine consumption can lead to health problems such as anxiety, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, low heart rate and issues with maternal fertility.
“Caffeine is addictive and it has a long term impact. Youngsters today are increasingly consuming alcohol with Red Bull. Parents should be keeping a check on what their children are drinking,” said Mahesh Zagade, commissioner, FDA.
“Manufacturers claim it’s an energy drink and not a carbonated drink. But when you open a Red Bull can, there's fizz and it contains carbon dioxide. We are preparing for legal battle,” Zagade added.
Though there are no separate standards for caffeine content in energy drinks, the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 has stated that all drinks containing caffeine should follow the rules applicable to carbonated beverages.
At present, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is working on setting new norms for energy drinks. It is trying to create a new category for energy drinks to allow a higher caffeine content.
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