House panel seeks FSSAI report on synthetic milk

HIGHLIGHTS

• A parliamentary panel has raised concerns over reports of increase in supply of synthetic milk in cities
• The panel has sought reports from food safety regulator, FSSAI, on the number of milk samples tested so far
• The lawmakers also took up the issue of how chemists sell medicines even after their expiry dates

NEW DELHI: Raising concerns over reports of increasing supply of synthetic milk in cities, a parliamentary panel has sought reports from food safety regulator, FSSAI, on the number of milk samples tested so far, their findings and action taken against offenders. 

The parliamentary committee on consumer affairs, which met on Friday, pointed to how huge quantity of milk, curd and ghee are made available in cities like Delhi at any given time when there are numerous marriages or parties . Sources said the law makers wanted to know whether any check is carried out to find out how much quantity is being made available from different points. "They wanted both legal metrology and food safety departments to check quantity and quality of milk made available," said a source.

Referring to wafers' packets, that have more air and less quantity, the MPs also raised the issue of "deceptive" packaging by companies to give an impression how a packet may be containing more items. "The MPs were of the view that officials from both the weight and measure departments of states and their food safety wings should verify both the quantity and quality of food items being sold ," said a source. 

The lawmakers also took up the issue of how chemists sell medicines even after their expiry dates.

Head of the parliamentary panel J C Diwakar Reddy said they will persuade the Prime Minister for early passage of the Consumer Protection Bill, which will address most of their concerns.