Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Set Up A Government Body To Check Rampant Adulateration Of Milk In The ... on 30 November, 2015
Sixteenth Loksabha an> Title: Need to set up a Government body to check rampant adulateration of milk in the country.
DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE (DHULE) : I would like to raise the issue of adulteration of food articles especially milk. While products like Maggi are under scanner, it is worrying that some of the most adulterated food items in India are actually water, milk and edible oil. A survey conducted in 2012-13 by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) found that milk is the most adulterated food item in India with 68.4% of nation-wide milk adulteration. Milk adulteration in the country is an even bigger concern because unlike packaged fast food, milk is not just necessity, but also consumed by most of the population in unpackaged form.
I urge upon the Government to ensure that FSSAI set up a body to conduct nation-wide check on milk adulteration and ensure regular testing of unpacked food items. The Supreme Court has also directed in November 2014 to amend the food safety and standards Act and increase the penalty for milk adulteration from six months to life imprisonment. The States of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha have already legislated in this direction, but this amendment has not yet been passed by the Centre. I urge upon the government to do this immediately. Over 70 present of deaths in India are associated with food and water-borne diseases and this menace must be curbed.