None of the milk samples found to be adulterated: Health Secretary

Filing an affidavit in response to a High Court direction on June 5 seeking a status report on the steps taken for implementation of Food and Safety Standards Act 2006, particularly in relation to the allegation of adulterated milk, Dr J Radhakrishnan, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, said from August 5, 2011 to May 31, 2017, as part of the routine milk and milk products sampling in 32 districts in the state a total number of 886 samples were lifted and analysed out of which none of the samples was found to be unsafe. 

However, 187 samples were found to be substandard and misbranded resulting in as many as 143 cases being registered. Also, as many as 81 persons were convicted and a penalty of Rs 10.26 lakh collected. 

As part of checking milk products, nearly 338 samples were lifted and out of them 11 samples were found unsafe and 132 samples found to be substandard and misbranded. As many as 83 cases were registered and 56 people convicted with a collection of fine  worth Rs 6 lakh. 

He further stated that for the effective implementation of the regulatory provisions of Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, a state-level steering committee under the chairmanship of chief secretary and district-level steering committees under the chairmanship of collectors were formed on June 16, 2017. 

The counter affidavit also stated that as per the suggestions of the Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration based on reports of milk adulteration, the state-level steering committee and district-level steering committees have been reconstituted.