Only 62% Of Milk Sold In India Meets Govt’s Quality Check; Telangana, Tamil Nadu Has Worst Quality

Processed milk in India has been found not meeting the quality standards in India, as revealed by a study conducted by FSSAI. What’s more shocking is that the processed milk by major brands is not an exception to this quality failure either. 

As much as 37.7 percent of the total samples tested are not up to the prescribed quality standards, and harmful contaminants, such as aflatoxin-M1, antibiotics and pesticides have been found in the processed milk even of major brands.

Find out all about the milk adulteration and contamination in India right here!

Hydrogen Peroxide, Detergents and Urea in Processed Milk

For the study, a total of 6,432 samples of milk were collected from 1,103 towns and cities from all states and union territories. These samples were collected over a period of six months, May 18 to October 18. Around 40.5% of the total samples was processed milk, whereas the remaining was raw milk. 

The survey showed that of the 2607 samples of processed milk, 10.4% had safety issues whereas, the other 37.7% were unable to meet a one quality standard at least. 

About 12 samples, out of the 6432, were found to be highly adulterated and unsafe for human consumption. Six of the samples contained hydrogen peroxide, three were found with detergents, two samples with urea and one sample had neutralizers. 

The report also tells us that the maximum number of incidents of adulteration have been discovered in Telangana, which is followed by Madhya Pradesh and Kerala.

Aflatoxin-M1 has also been found in the samples, and this comes through the feed and fodder, which is not regulated in India as of yet. 

Contamination More Than Adulteration: CEO Of FSSAI

The CEO of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Pawan Agarwal said, “The presence of fats and SNF (solids-not-fat) were not as per the standards specified by the FSSAI. We hope the organised sector will take action and comply with the standards in the next 6-8 months.”

He also went on to comment about the common man’s belief that adulteration is more in milk. However, the study clearly shows that contamination is a problem giving more trouble than adulteration. He also talked about how it is unacceptable to see contaminants in the processed milk handed out by big brands. 

However, the report does not mention any of the names of the big brands that have been distributing adulterated and contaminated milk. 

He also said that this is the first time that such an in-depth survey has been made of the residue in the milk.