Amritsar, September 18
The testing of milk in certain areas of the city by the Dairy Development Department has highlighted the fact that water was being used for adulteration. The seizures of synthetic milk products in the past indicate usage of more contaminants.
The Dairy Development Department had released figures of the milk tests conducted by it during the last two days. According to the department, of the total 52 samples tested, only 17 were found unadulterated and fit for consumption.
The 35 samples, which were found adulterated, contained water. The department had claimed that the 35 milk samples had water from 5 per cent to 50 per cent.
Earlier this year, the Health Department had seized 7 quintal synthetic khoya. Sources in the dairy business said synthetic khoya and milk were being sold with impunity.
“When a person sells a kilo of paneer for Rs 100 to 120, one should easily get suspicious that pure cheese cannot be produced at that cost,” said a shopkeeper.
Although the Dairy Development Department has now found that around 66 per cent samples were adulterated with water, yet it does not have any powers to take action against milk suppliers.
Deputy director, Dairy Development Department, Kashmir Singh, said, “We do not have statuary powers to punish. Our drives are basically for creating awareness among consumers.” Kashmir said the department would organise 60 camps where mobile milk testing van would be available. Besides the consumers could bring their samples to the dairy development office for testing, he added.
He said milk suppliers were cheating customers by supplying them milk mixed with water and charging for superior quality fresh milk. At present the residents procure fresh milk from vendors at a Rs 35 to 40 per litre.
The testing of milk in certain areas of the city by the Dairy Development Department has highlighted the fact that water was being used for adulteration. The seizures of synthetic milk products in the past indicate usage of more contaminants.
The Dairy Development Department had released figures of the milk tests conducted by it during the last two days. According to the department, of the total 52 samples tested, only 17 were found unadulterated and fit for consumption.
The 35 samples, which were found adulterated, contained water. The department had claimed that the 35 milk samples had water from 5 per cent to 50 per cent.
Earlier this year, the Health Department had seized 7 quintal synthetic khoya. Sources in the dairy business said synthetic khoya and milk were being sold with impunity.
“When a person sells a kilo of paneer for Rs 100 to 120, one should easily get suspicious that pure cheese cannot be produced at that cost,” said a shopkeeper.
Although the Dairy Development Department has now found that around 66 per cent samples were adulterated with water, yet it does not have any powers to take action against milk suppliers.
Deputy director, Dairy Development Department, Kashmir Singh, said, “We do not have statuary powers to punish. Our drives are basically for creating awareness among consumers.” Kashmir said the department would organise 60 camps where mobile milk testing van would be available. Besides the consumers could bring their samples to the dairy development office for testing, he added.
He said milk suppliers were cheating customers by supplying them milk mixed with water and charging for superior quality fresh milk. At present the residents procure fresh milk from vendors at a Rs 35 to 40 per litre.
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