Crackdown on sale of adulterated milk soon

J.Suguna, Designated Officer for Food Safety, Madurai district, told The Hindu on Friday that raids would be carried out at milk manufacturing and selling points across the city.

There is a question mark over the quality and standard of the milk sold in the city. Authorities are checking out complaints received from the public over the sale of adulterated milk.

J.Suguna, Designated Officer for Food Safety, Madurai district, told The Hindu on Friday that raids would be carried out at milk manufacturing and selling points across the city.

“Private dairies, retail suppliers and those who are selling milk packets under different brand names will have to follow Food Safety Standards. There are quality norms governing the production and distribution of branded as well as unbranded milk, and Food Safety Inspectors will start inspection from Monday,” she said.

Milk samples will be collected and sent to the Food Analysis Laboratory to check for the presence of toxic chemicals, additives, starch and whiteners, apart from high levels of water.

Ms.Suguna said Food Safety Wing officials recently caught a popular bakery in Kochadai selling bread and other bakery items past their expiry date.

Eateries, restaurants and other food outlets have been asked to obtain mandatory certification by February 2014, she pointed out.

“So far, we have issued 1,800 licences and about 7,000 registration certificates. Nearly 9,000 food business operators are yet to get food safety clearance from us,” Dr.Suguna said.