Trichy: Though most of the milk samples taken in Trichy got through the quality and safety compliance test undertaken as a part of the National Milk Safety and Quality Survey, 2018, the samples from Karur, Ariyalur and Perambalur exposed the presence of cancer-causing ingredient aflatoxin M1.
The survey was released by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on Friday. It deals with safety and quality of liquid milk tested between May 2018 and October 2018 covering all states and UTs with more than 6,432 samples including 551 from over 30 districts in Tamil Nadu. “As per the report at least 51% of the milk samples were marked as non-compliant compared to 41% of the all-India standards. Nearly 88 samples from the state have also tested positive for aflatoxin,” said state food safety deputy director Dr K Vanaja.
Food safety analysts say that poorly maintained cattle shed, where fodder isn’t often replaced or kept dry, can cause growth of fungus. “The food gets contaminated with aflatoxin. It is passed on to the milk as well,” said a senior government food analyst. “Pasteurization and sterilization of milk have not much effect on aflatoxin M1. Thus as a waste product, aflatoxin remains in milk,” she added.
Out of the eight samples collected in Trichy, seven samples cleared the quality and safety compliance test. One sample showed the presence of solids not fat (SNF) and maltodextrin.
On the standard of the milk in Trichy, designated officer (DO) of food safety and drug administration department Dr R Chithra of Trichy said that several samples taken from filling points showed that milk was sub-standard due to the adulteration of milk with water. “The contamination in the water can lead to health complications in the consumers,” said Chithra.
The milk samples taken in the neighbouring districts Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagappattinam, Pudukottai, Karur, Ariyalur and Perambalur also showed fat, SNF and maltodextrin.
“Maltodextrin is used as an addictive that can be digested and absorbed. People may use it as taste enhancer. It may cause allergic reactions depending upon the individuals,” director of Dr G Viswanathan Specialty Hospitals, laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeon Dr K Govindaraj told ToI.
Shockingly, the milk samples taken in Karur, Inam Karur, Thanthoni, Ariyalur and Perambalur were also tested positive for aflatoxin. “It is one of the commonest causes for liver cancer. When ingested it gets concentrated in the liver and triggers growth of cancer cells,” said surgical gasteroentologist Dr R Surendran of MIOT Hospital.
“We no longer test for aflatoxin in liver biopsies, but it now looks like it is time to get this done at least as evidence for a policy,” he said.
The report says this is the first time that the presence of aflatoxin M1 in milk has been assessed in the country. “Aflatoxin M1 comes in the milk through feed and fodder, which are currently not regulated in the country,” the report said. Medical literature has several published data linking Aflatoxin to low birth weight and stunted growth in children.
State health secretary Beela Rajesh, who is also the commissioner of food safety, said the state is now planning a larger study to identify hotspots. “The survey has district-wise data but as of now we don’t know the name of brands or where the contaminated milk was picked from,” she said. To start with, the district food safety officials will be picking samples from more than 140 manufacturing units across the state. “We will be systematically screening milk provided by co-operative societies and vendors as well. It will be on our priority list now,” she said.
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