Healthy questions on purity of milk

Expressing grave concern over reported milk adulteration by private producers, the Madras High Court has directed the government to file a status report on the issue, wherein a CBI probe has been sought. 

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar, before whom a plea moved by advocate A P Suryaprakasam came up on Monday observed that “no doubt the adulteration of milk by private producers is a very serious matter of concern”. It then directed the Government Pleader M K Subramanian to file a status report. 

Also, the bench on seeking the Government to provide details on the action taken on such complaints, posted the case for further hearing to June 19. 

AP Suryaprakasam. practising at the Madras High Court, in his public interest litigation, submitted that children are fed with milk because of its purity and nutritional value. It also plays an important role in maintaining health. But the Government which is responsible to safeguard the health and safety of its citizens in utter disregard of its statutory duties, has failed to act despite being aware that its citizens are consuming adulterated milk, the petitioner said. 

He also noted that he was shocked and surprised to read the statements of the State Dairy Development Minister Rajendra Balaji that private milk firms were using harmful chemicals in the milk they produce. But the minister who had claimed that he had come up with such an allegation after thoroughly subjecting the packaged milk of private firms to test for over five months had failed to act. 

On wondering as to what prevented the minister from taking any action against the adulterators, he said, “It is unfortunate that the minister’s claims that milk samples have been sent to the Pune Laboratory, has been refuted by the lab.” 

Highlighting the minister’s revelation that the milk adulterators use hydrogen peroxide and chlorine to prevent milk from getting spoiled, Suryaprakasam cited a Supreme Court order which said: “By their mere inaction they are playing with the life of citizens which creates reasonable apprehension in the minds of right thinking citizens that empty threat is being made with ulterior motive.” He said the minister’s claim smacks of doubts, going by the inaction that had transpired after the alleged finding of adulteration using harmful chemicals capable of causing cancer in children.

Under such circumstances, with claims and counterclaims dogging the issue and with most of the factories supplying milk located outside Tamil Nadu, it is pertinent that CBI is asked to investigate as it pertains to public health at large, the petitioner said.

He also sought for a direction to the State government to take necessary steps to urgently amend Sec. 272 of the IPC for enhancing the punishment for the adulterators of milk and milk products to life sentence as per the Supreme Court directions.

Recently National Milk Quality Survey was conducted in TN.

Around 100 samples across the state were taken.

No dairy company was found using preservative recently.

Officials said adulteration was found only in a few samples.

It was found that vendors largely mix water with milk.

Rajendra Balaji recently accused private firms of mixing harmful chemicals in the milk sold by them. “It is only milk if it turns sour in 5 hours; if not, it is mixed with chemical preservatives,” said Balaji, adding he had received various complaints from public, and even certain organisations, about chemical-mixed milk being sold in the state. Balaji alleged these firms were using hydrogen peroxide and chlorine to increase the shelf life of milk. “If they are found guilty, we will definitely press criminal charges against them,” Balaji said.

How it  is adulterated: Milk can be adulterated by various means, by adding adulterants like soap, starch, and chemicals like formalin. A home test will detect them.

Water: The presence of water can be detected by putting a drop of milk on a polished slanting surface. The drop of pure milk will flow slowly, leaving a white trail behind it; whereas milk adulterated with water will flow immediately without leaving a mark.

Starch: Add a few drops of tincture of iodine or iodine solution. Formation of blue colour indicates the presence of starch.

Urea: Take a teaspoon of milk in a test tube. Add ½ teaspoon of soybean or arhar powder. Mix the contents thoroughly by shaking the test tube. After 5 minutes, dip a red litmus paper in it. Remove the paper after half a minute. A change in colour from red to blue indicates the presence of urea in the milk.

Vanaspati: Take 3 ml of milk in a test tube. Add 10 drops of hydrochloric acid. Mix one teaspoonful of sugar. After five minutes, examine the mixture. Red colouration points to the presence of vanaspati in the milk.

Formalin: Take 10 ml of milk in a test tube and add 5 ml of concentrated sulphuric acid from the sides of the wall without shaking. If a violet or blue ring appears at the intersection of two layers, then it  indicates the presence of formalin.

Synthetic Milk: Synthetic milk has a bitter aftertaste, gives a soapy feeling on rubbing between the fingers and turns yellowish on heating.

Synthetic Milk test for protein: The milk can easily be tested by Urease strips (available in medical stores) because synthetic milk is devoid of protein.

How it is adulterated: With ghee priced thrice that of edible oils, it can be adulterated with potatoes, coconut or groundnut oil.

Vanaspati or margarine: Take about one tea spoon of melted sample of ghee , with an equal quantity of concentrated hydrochloric acid in a stoppered test tube and add to it a pinch of sugar. Shake for one minute and let it rest for five minutes. Appearance of crimson colour in lower (acid) is proof of vanaspati or margarine.

Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes or other starches: The presence of mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes in a sample of ghee can be detected easily by adding a few drops of iodine, which is brownish in colour; it turns to blue if mashed potatoes/sweet potatoes/other starches are present.

How it  is adulterated: Like other dairy products, butter too can be adulterated, by infusing vanaspati, which is considered unhealthy.

Vanaspati or margarine: Take about one teaspoon of melted sample of butter, with an equal quantity of concentrated hydrochloric acid in a stoppered test tube and add to it a pinch of sugar. Shake for one minute and let it for five minutes. Appearance of crimson colour in lower (acid) is indication of vanaspati or margarine.