FDA raids 29 dairies, to test milk samples

PUNE: Officials of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raided over 29 dairies and milk processing units in Pune, Satara and Sangli and drew over 59 samples of milk during the two-day long drive that started on May 26. 

The officials also seized stock of milk cream worth Rs 4.10 lakh from two cooperative dairies operating in Sangli districts for unhygienic storage condition. The drive was simultaneously conducted in Mumbai and Thane. 

"We had formed 16 teams of food safety officials to carry out the drive in Mumbai, Thane and Pune. The aim of the surprise drive was to evaluate the quality of milk supplied in these areas, assess the current monitoring system and educate milk suppliers, distributors against milk adulteration and ensure that every supplier is registered with the FDA," said state FDA commissioner Harshadeep Kamble. 

The highest number of milk samples was drawn in Pune and two other districts Sangli and Satara.

"Of the 59 samples drawn in Pune, Satara and Sangli, the highest 22 samples are of pasteurized toned milk followed by full cream (6), loose cow milk (19), loose buffalo milk (9) and ghee (1). The samples are assortment of branded as well as loose milk sold in these districts. We have sent the samples to designated government laboratory. The test reports are expected within a week," said Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune division. 

A latest FDA report showed that about 24% of the 408 milk samples drawn between April 2014 and March 2015 in Pune administrative division was either unsafe or did not comply with the standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). 

FDA officials, who drew the samples to check if they were fit for consumption, found 15 samples to be unsafe while 83 failed to meet the standard criteria. The samples were taken from milk collection centres, tankers, processing units, local dairies and vendors and tested at notified public health laboratories in Pune and Mumbai. Officials have filed criminal cases against errant suppliers. 

"The units involved in milk adulteration in Mumbai's slum areas were razed during the drive. Our officials raided a unit which was involved in tampering milk packets of branded companies. The unit was located at a slum in Pathanwadi in Malad (East). Similarly, in an another action in Mumbai, the officials raided a unit in Jeetnagar area in Andheri (West), where all branded milk products were bring tampered," said a senior FDA official from Mumbai.