'25-30 pc milk samples in Delhi have high water content'

At least, 25-30 per cent of the milk samples tested in Delhi has low nutritional value with high water content. These samples are mostly local samples and not branded products, said an official of the Food Safety Department.

However, reports studied for the last three years, suggest that there has been almost no case of adulteration with the presence of detergents here as was recently reportedly found in Agra. A controversy broke out after the UP Food and Drug Administration told the media on Tuesday that samples of milk of Mother Dairy were found having detergents. Mother Dairy, however, has categorically denied this claim.

“In Delhi, we have not found such cases where detergents or such other products were found in milk samples. The reports of the last three years were thoroughy studied. The branded products are meeting the standards in Delhi,” said a senior official, Food Safety Department.

“Around 25-30 per cent of the local milk samples are found sub-standard with a high content of water. This is a pattern noticed over years. However, no form of adulternation with harmful products was found in the samples,” said the official. According to doctors, with high water content, there is a deficiency in nutritions among those who rely on milk diet. The calcium and protein levels go down drastically, said experts.

“Many people drink milk without boiling. If the quality of water mixed with milk is unhygienic then the person can suffer other health issues,” said Dr Anil Bansal, Delhi Medical Association.

Though random checks are rare on packaged food products, checks on dairy products are regular. The dairy products are on the priority as they are also widely consumed by infants, children and the elderly. Deccan Herald  had earlier reported checks on noodles were rarely conducted till the Maggi controversy as the leading brands were generally considered to be “trusted” by the department.

With acute staff shortage, the department is reeling under several limitations, according to officials. Meanwhile, the Food Safety Department has conducted a test on noodles of other brands. Eight samples have failed the test with Foodles having lead beyond permissible limit and Top Ramen and Chings having monosodium glutamate (MSG) though it was not labelled.

Health Minister Satyendra Jain, however, told reporters on Wednesday that he has not received the reports from the department yet.