79% of all milk sold in Maharashtra fails food safety tests

Both branded as well as non-branded milk falls short of standards, study finds

The Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI) has found that 79 per cent of all milk sold in the state does not comply with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines.

Between January and December 2019, CGSI collected 413 samples – 73 from branded companies and the rest from non-branded sources – from across Maharashtra and tested them, and founded only 87 – or 21 per cent – meeting FSSAI standards, a CGSI report said.

Among the branded samples only 15 per cent met regulations; among the unbranded, 22 per cent, the report said.

“Milk forms an essential part of our food and hence it is necessary to maintain standards. According to the research conducted, contamination has increased by 5 per cent compared to last year,” said Dr Sitaram Dixit, chairman, CGSI.

To improve the quality of milk, the government has made adulteration a non-bailable offence. It also conducts regular raids to ensure milk producers comply with the guidelines.

As per the FSSAI standards, cow milk should have minimum 3.2 per cent fat content and 8.3 per cent milk solids. For buffalo milk, the fat content should be 6 per cent and solids 9 per cent. For toned milk fat per cent is 3 per cent and solids 8.5 per cent. For full cream milk, the fat should be 6 per cent and solids 9 per cent.

CGSI offers free milk testing services to everyone. Consumers can approach them directory or society volunteers can come to their doorsteps and check the milk, Dixit said.

Anjali Mulye, a consumer from Vikhroli, said adulteration is a matter of concern. “My children drink milk and I care for its quality. I prefer packaged, branded milk over loose milk. But if the branded milk is also not safe as per the study, then it is a matter of worry for us. The government should ensure that milk is not diluted or adulterated because that will affect the health of our children,” she said.