This was found by Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI) in its Milk Quality Report this year. The findings of the report were presented at a press conference held here on Tuesday.
Interestingly, the findings are in sharp contrast to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)’s recent National Milk Quality Survey, 2018, which concluded that over 90% of milk samples in the country are safe.
The CGSI tested a total of 690 (228 branded and 462 unbranded) samples collected from across the Maharashtra state from January to October this year. Dr Sitaram Dixit, chairman, CGSI said, “ Out of total 690 samples, 539 i.e., 78.12% did not comply with FSSAI standards specifications, and only 21.88 that is 151 were in compliance with FSSAI standards.”
“We have tested the samples for the presence of the required contents. We have not carried out chemical testing to detect the adulterants,” he added.
The samples needed to comply with Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives )Thirteenth Amendment Regulations, 2017.
Dixit stated, “Samples that were not of standard quality were mainly diluted. The required content of milk fat and milk solids not fat [SNF] was below the requirements set by the FSSAI. Most of the samples tested had much lower content of milk fat and SNF, mainly diluted with water.”
According to the FSSAI, raw, pasteurised, boiled, flavoured and sterilised cow milk should contain 3.2% milk fat and 8.3% SNF, while buffalo milk should contain 6% milk fat and 9% SNF.
The tests were carried out with the help of an electronic milk analyser called Lactoscan-S. The electronic milk analyser can test fat content, protein content, SNF, water content, protein, density, temperature, freezing point and lactose in the milk.
In order to create public awareness with regards to quality of milk supplied, CGSI have been conducting the milk testing since 2008 on regular basis in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane and other places across the state.
On a concluding note, Dixit responded to the National Milk Quality Survey, 2018, findings thus, “The test conducted by us is through the samples brought by the consumers from various places. The FSSAI collects the samples from the designated shops. So there is a possibility that the milk sold through such shops will be safe. Whereas, the samples collected in our reports cover both the branded and loose milk.”
