Many Adulterated Milk samples are found in Punjab, According to data from the Punjab Food Safety Wing, the ongoing supply of milk is unfit for human consumption. Presents health hazards, particularly for children, and continues without interference.
According to data, from collecting 1,400 milk samples in 2022-23, 497 were estimated non-conforming for food safety. Out of these 497 samples, 10 were identified as “unsafe” due to the presence of foreign fat.
During the same time frame, 38.9 percent of milk product samples did not meet food safety standards. Out of the 1,478 samples tested, 575 were found to be failure.
Among these, 83 were considered unsafe due to foreign fat or substandard quality. It was observed that the paneer (cottage cheese) had low-fat content and high moisture levels.
Inderjit Singh, the former director of Dairy Development in Punjab, highlighted the potential dangers of foreign fats in milk, stating that they can supply the product unsafe for human consumption due to possible adulteration with refined oil, vegetable oil, animal fat, or other substances. This is happening, even as the per-person availability of milk in Punjab is 1,170 g, followed by Haryana at 970 g.
During the period between April 2023 and February 2024, a total of 642 milk samples were collected. Among these, 99 were found to fail with food safety standards, with two assumed unsafe for human consumption. Additionally, 30.26% of milk product samples failed the food safety test, resulting in 378 out of 1,249 samples being resistant and 79 being unsafe for consumption. A statement from a Punjab Food Safety Wing official described these samples as “adulterated.”
The authorities have reported that milk products such as khoya and paneer have been found to contain refined oil, detergent, urea, and certain acids. Some samples even showed the addition of glucose to enhance sweetness.
In Punjab, a similar incident occurred last year, where detergent was discovered in milk, paneer, and khoya samples. Legal actions were taken by the government in response to such cases.
Adulterated milk and its products cause serious health risks to consumers. To address this issue, the government has launched multiple awareness campaigns and encouraged people to have their products tested at the food safety lab in Kharar to ensure quality.
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