Maharashtra FDA Chief on how adulterated milk is made: ‘There were other products…shampoo’

He added that the production cost of synthetic milk was economically attractive because “the production cost of cow milk, the synthetic or chemical milk, came around Rs 50. And the Buffalo Standard milk came around Rs 30. In the market, if you go, the milk of a cow is sold for around Rs 40 to Rs 50. Economically, producing this chemical milk is cheaper, which is added to the normal milk; the quantity is increased, and that is sold. So it becomes economically viable for a person who is doing it.”

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

Mundhe strongly condemned the practice, saying, “Now it is illegal, absolutely illegal, absolutely pathetic. But that is happening, so we have another death racket. And on that basis, we are investigating further. Investigation is still going on.” He further claimed that the alleged adulteration could occur at multiple stages, stating, “That was being done at the farmer level also. That was being done at the milk collection center also. That was being done at chilling centers also. And that milk was ultimately supplied to dairies or products.” Explaining what he believes is the long-term solution, Mundhe said, “Tracing of the milk or milk product is the key here. Unless you are able to trace even a single drop of milk to where it is coming from, we will not be able to eliminate total adulteration of milk or milk products. So that is the key.”

When FoodPharmer asked, “Is it possible?”, Mundhe replied, “It is absolutely possible.” Explaining further, he said, “We have farmers. Farmers have milk cows or buffaloes. Generally, we know their average milk production… At collection centers, they know who the farmers are. They know how many cows and buffaloes they have. As per the law, it is mandatory that wherever there is a collection center, it should have a record of who you are buying from and how much you are buying. And if there is a rejection, it should be registered as a rejection. It is mandatory. We started implementing it in Maharashtra. That is having an effect. It is having a qualitative effect. If we get to know this digitally, that there are so many farmers in a village in Maharashtra, and how much tentative milk will come daily, if more than that comes, then something is wrong. If we get to know digitally, then we have started tracking.”

Mundhe continued, “That’s as simple as this. But it gets as difficult as it is. Is it possible to identify animals? Absolutely, we have a concept in the Animal Husbandry Department called ear tagging of animals. And there is an NDLM portal, National Digital Livestock Mission portal, which is run by the Animal Husbandry Department, Government of India. It is implemented. Because I have already worked as Secretary in that department, I have implemented it. The animal tagging is linked with milk procurement; if it is matched, the problem can be done away with. And we have to do it. If you do it, I think most of the adulteration can go away. Number one. And number two, those who are doing it, producing synthetic milk or chemical milk or adding this, should be prosecuted under organised crime and economic offences. That’s where they will work.”

To better understand these claims, the actual health implications of adulterated milk, and the practical challenges of detecting and preventing it, we spoke to an expert.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.