Milk Adulteration Racket Uncovered in Amreli
Introduction
The Special Operations Group (SOG) police and the Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) uncovered a milk adulteration racket operating from a house in the Mityala area of Amreli. Authorities arrested Gunvant Shamji Kalsariya and seized adulterated milk and materials valued at ₹2.21 lakh. Adulterated milk, which was packaged in plastic bags for distribution, has raised concerns about food safety, especially during the upcoming Diwali festival.
Diwali Festival Prompts Heightened Food Inspections
With Diwali around the corner, FDCA has increased inspections as food safety violations tend to spike during the festive season. Samples of the seized milk have been sent to Gandhinagar for further analysis. This is part of a larger statewide operation aimed at combating food adulteration, particularly in milk and dairy products.
FDCA's Fight Against Adulterated Milk in Gujarat
In recent months, the FDCA has been actively seizing and destroying large quantities of adulterated milk and milk products across Gujarat. In February 2024, officials confiscated and destroyed around 10,000 liters of adulterated milk worth ₹4.17 lakh in Palanpur and Gandhinagar. The milk, laced with maltodextrin powder, was being supplied to a firm based in Palanpur. Along with milk, officials also seized large quantities of adulterated cheese and paneer during the operation.
Massive Seizure of Adulterated Dairy Products
In May 2024, the FDCA seized 1,07,122 kg of adulterated milk and milk products, as well as 34,498 kg of adulterated ghee, worth a total of ₹8.03 crore. These items were adulterated over a period of ten months and were intended for commercial sale as dairy products and sweets.
In August 2022, the FDCA intercepted a truck in Rajkot carrying 4,000 liters of adulterated milk. Upon inspection, it was found to contain harmful chemicals, such as sulfates, phosphates, and carbonate oils, which pose serious health risks to consumers.
How to Test for Adulterated Milk at Home
The FDCA recommends a simple at-home test to check for adulterated milk. Pour 2-3 ml of milk on a glass surface and add 2-3 drops of iodine tincture. If the mixture turns blue, the milk may be adulterated. This test can help consumers quickly identify potentially harmful milk before consumption.
Source: Inputs from various media SourcesÂ
Priya Bairagi
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
