Spot milk adulteration test begins in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: Parag's annual campaign against milk adulteration would mark the beginning of 2013.

General manager, Lucknow Producer's Milk Cooperative Milk Union Limited, SK Prasad, informed that they would hold camps in prominent locations in the city and conduct live demonstrations to test the quality of milk.

Interested persons need to bring about 150 ml of raw milk for testing to show the presence of caustic soda and water.

In a similar drive undertaken last year, about 35% samples tested positive to caustic soda, while less than 10% samples were pure. To note, caustic soda is an important ingredient in detergent powders.

"The camps will take place at 11 locations between January 1 and 29 in Thakurganj, Campbell Road, Old Haiderganj, Model House, Tilaknagar, Aishbagh, Vrindavan Colony, Rae Bareli Road, Diskusha Colony and Kailashpuri Alambagh." He added that if people had doubts over quality of milk being supplied to them, they can bring a sample of raw milk to the camp for testing.

Quality experts at Parag revealed that besides water and caustic soda, urea is a commonly used adulterant. "It increases milk's shelf life," said an officer. The other adulterants are: starch, oil, sugar, common salt liquid sugar, lactose and detergents. "Sugar is added to make the milk more palatable. It also adds to the proportion of SNF (Solids Not Fat)," they said.

The Indian Council of Medical Research has reported that milk adulterants pose risk to health. For instance, soap in milk, can cause gastrointestinal complications including food poisoning.

Its high alkaline level can also damage body tissue and destroy proteins, while synthetic components can cause impairments, heart problems, cancer or even death.

Prasad said that a need for the drive was an effort to check milk adulteration.