Jul 21, 2019
Food wing collects seven samples in Kapurthala
Chennai: The number of convictions for misbranding and adulteration of milk has nearly doubled and the penalty collected by the state has gone up by nearly three times (250%) between 2017-18 and 2018-19, according to Union minister of state for health and family welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey.
Replying to a question from Rameshbhai Lavjibhai Dhaduk of Porbandar on the action taken to check adulteration in milk and to penalise the criminals involved by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as per the Supreme Court direction, Choubey said a nationwide qualitative screening of milk samples for on-spot qualitative and quantitative analysis of milk samples was conducted by the Authority. It checked for quality parameters such as fat, solid not fat (SNF), added water, protein content and safety parameters and 13 adulterants, antibiotics, pesticides and aflatoxin M1.
The survey was initiated in May 2018 screened 6,432 samples taken across the country. Analysis showed about 39% of milk samples were non- compliant with reference to quality parameters [fat, Solid not-fat (SNF), sugar and maltodextrin] but were without any safety issues. But 9.9% samples were found to be unsafe for consumption due to presence of harmful contaminants in excess of specified limits coming mainly from poor quality of feed, irresponsible use of antibiotics and poor farm practices, he said. To ensure quality and safe milk, the state food authorities keep a strict vigil by regularly drawing food samples, he said.
In 2017, Tamil Nadu dairy development minister K T Rajenthra Bhalaji accused two private milk companies of adulterating their products with chemicals before selling them. The two brands are using caustic soda and bleaching powder in spoilt milk, convert it to milk powder, he said. The same year, the state wing of FSSAI had lifted 393 samples of which 101 we found to have misbranded or adulterated their product. While seven criminal cases were filed 63 cases were filed in the civil court. The same year, 64 cases ended in conviction and penalty of ₹4.19lakh was levied from 64 cases.
In 2018, however, 847 samples were lifted and 157 were found to have misbranded of adulterated the milk. Three criminal cases and 93 civil cases were filed. This time, however, 97 were convicted and the FSSAI collected ₹14.9 lakh as penalty from 125 cases. “We have been doing spot tests in many shops regularly. Since we have managed to record violations we have been able to win legal cases,” said a senior FSSAI official. The amount collected was second only to Gujarat, which had collected ₹16.2lakh from 80 cases.
Food wing collects seven samples in Kapurthala
Jalandhar, July 19A team of the Health Department carried out a checking drive under Dr Harjot Pal Singh, Assistant Commissioner, Food, and Satnam Singh, Food Safety Officer, Kapurthala under ‘Tandrust Punjab Mission’ today.
The team started inspection at 6.30 am on a complaint basis. A dairy near Subhanpur was checked. However no objectionable material was found on the premises of the dairy, situated at the residence of a villager.The team checked food items and collected samples from other Food Business Operators (FBOs) in Begowal and surrounding areas.
The food wing took seven samples, including two milk, two fruits, one pulses, one confectionary item and one fruit drink.
The team of food wing inspected vehicles carrying food items, especially milk and milk products. During the course of checking, drivers were seen trying to evade the checking by moving vehicles this way or that way.
However, the food wing managed to check many of them. Taking into consideration the ongoing rainy season, the FBOs have been directed to keep and store foodstuffs under clean, dry and hygienic conditions, to protected them from Mold growth, which otherwise deteriorates the food items in rains due to increased moisture content in the air.
The samples have been despatched to the State Food Laboratory, Kharar, and the report of the analysis will be made available to the department at the earliest. Further legal action will be initiated against the offenders as per the report of analysis of the State Food Lab, under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and Rules and Regulations, 2011.
All FBOs were strictly directed to hygiene on the business premises, proper personal hygiene of workers engaged in the unit, especially those directly handling the foodstuffs.
Synthetic Milk plants Raided in Madhya Pradesh, 62 arrested.
The Madhya Pradesh police arrested 62 people for allegedly manufacturing and supplying synthetic milk and other products and distributing them to branded milk outlets in six north Indian states, the PTI reported.
Three synthetic milk units located at Amba in Morena district and Lahar in the Bhind district of the Gwalior-Chambal region were raided by the Special Task Force (STF). They also raided a dozen other locations on Saturday but found the premises locked.
According to Rajesh Bhadoria, the STF Superintendent of Police, around 10,000 litres of spurious milk, over 500 kg of condensed milk and over 200 kg synthetic cottage cheese were seized during the raid. A huge quantity of liquid detergent, refined oil, maltodextrin powder, and other chemicals were also seized.
“As many as 20 tankers and 11 pick-up vans containing spurious milk and other products were seized,” the STF SP said.
30 percent milk was used in combination with refined oil, liquid detergent, white paint, and glucose powder in every liter of spurious milk produced at the three units, The NDTV report said, citing the officials.
How is Synthetic Milk produced?
Synthetic, milk is produced by adding white color water paint, oils, alkali, urea, and detergent, etc. Synthetic milk has a bitter after taste and turns yellowish on heating. The milk when rubbed between the fingers gives a soapy feeling.
The National Milk Quality Survey, 2018
The National Milk Quality Survey, 2018 was carried out by FSSAI to assess the quality of milk. The survey that was conducted in 602 towns collecting 6432 samples revealed that milk in India is largely safe. The Survey had found that 90% of the samples were safe and less than 10% of the samples were non-compliant.
Earlier this month, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched a scheme for Sampling, Testing & Inspection of milk to strengthen internal controls at the licensed dairy processing establishments. The Scheme that is tentatively planned to be operational by 1st October 2019 elaborates certain quality and safety tests that have to be done by the dairy establishments at regular intervals. This will help the establishments in identifying the cause of any non-compliance, take preventive and corrective action, the FSSAI had stated.
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