With a shocking reveal, the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) study found that processed milk, including some of the major brands of India, has failed to meet the prescribed quality norm in 37.7 percent of the total samples tested. So far the safety parameters concerned, 10.4 percent of the processed milk samples were non-compliant, much higher than 4.8 percent in raw milk.
As per reports, the FSSAI has collected a total of 6,432 milk samples from 1,103 towns and cities between May and October 2018 in all states of India including the union territories which reveals that 7 percent milk samples are unfit for consumption.
Moreover, the result also reveals that adulteration is found in only 12 of the total samples surveyed with a maximum reported in Telangana, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. The adulteration was mainly on account of low fat or low SNF (solid nonfat) or both.
The FSSAI study had collected a total of 6,432 milk samples and to check this, the regulator has directed the organized dairy sector to strictly start complying with the quality norms and put in place 'testing and inspection' at entire value chain by 1 January 2020.
Moreover, FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal said after releasing the study, "Common man believes that adulteration is more in milk. But our study shows that contamination was more a serious problem than adulteration. It is unacceptable to see contaminants in processed milk including in big brands”.
Stressed on contamination of milk, he said, “More than adulteration, contaminants was a serious problem as substances such as Aflatoxin-M1, antibiotics, and pesticides were found more in the processed milk”.
"The problem of Aflatoxin-M1 is more dominant in processed milk than raw milk. Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Kerala were top three states where Aflatoxin residue was found the maximum," Agarwal said.
Aflatoxin-M1 comes in the milk through feed and fodder which are currently not regulated in the country, he said, adding that it is for the first time such a detailed survey of the presence of this residue in milk has been done in the country.
