Sangli FDA disposes of 30,000 litres of adulterated milk

Kolhapur: Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) officials in Sangli disposed of 30,400 litres of adulterated milk worth Rs 10.64 lakh on Sunday night after it tested positive for salt contamination. The action followed a quality-check campaign where nine milk tankers were inspected at Nagaj Phata along the Nagpur-Ratnagiri national highway.

The officials said the milk was bound for a Kolhapur processing plant. "FDA officials detected salt adulteration in a milk tanker using rapid testing strips. It was found that the milk contained a significant proportion of sodium chloride. The milk was disposed of on-site, and samples were sent to a laboratory for further testing. Once the report is received from the laboratory, a case will be filed against the supplier," Assistant commissioner of FDA N S Masare said.

The salt-adulterated milk poses health risks, particularly for those with high blood pressure. The tanker was carrying milk from a Solapur district chilling centre. "If lab tests confirm significant adulteration, the supplier may face jail time (6 months to 5 years); otherwise, s/he may be fined Rs 5 lakh," an FDA official said.

According to the official, salt is added to milk to artificially boost its solid content, masking dilution and allowing suppliers to charge higher rates, as milk prices are determined by solid and fat content. "Excessive salt in milk can cause nausea and gastroenteritis. It can also contribute to hypertension or kidney issues, especially if consumed regularly," the official said.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) states that milk should not contain added salt, as it compromises safety and quality.