Coimbatore: Three weeks after the National Milk Safety and Quality Survey found that 74% of milk samples tested in the district contained the harmful cancer-causing aflatoxin, the state food safety department has collected around 13 fresh milk samples sent it to Chennai for testing.
The survey, which was released in October, tested 35 sample of processed and raw milk from eight locations in the district – Coimbatore city, Pollachi, Mettupalayam, Singanallur, Kavundampalayam, Kurichi, Kuniamuthur and Valparai. Nearly 26 of them found to have aflatoxin M1, a harmful mycotoxin that is known to cause severe digestion issues, liver problems and cancer in the long term.
Following that, the state food safety authorities had decided to trace the milk samples back to its origin - cow sheds or dairy farms - where the fodder could have been contaminated. Aflatoxin enters milk only when the fodder gets contaminated and starts containing the same.
Officials said the 13 samples were sent to the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). “The results are yet to reach us,” said an official. “This is not for us to take action against any cow shed or dairy farm. We just check the quality of milk in the state. Also, this entire investigation is taken up only by the food safety headquarters officials and not by us.”
Veterinarians said the dairy farmers should be educated on the importance of keeping the fodder free of moisture or wetness and drying them completely if they get wet. “These moulds form only when the fodder gets wet due to rain or excess humidity. So, keeping it in dry condition in a closed space is important,” said Dr Deepa, animal husbandry department.
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