Milk adulteration rampant in India

A startling six per cent of the samples tested in 2015 by the Ministry of Health had presence of ‘detergents’ in them confirming that ‘synthetic milk’ is a huge problem.

More than two thirds of the milk in India does not meet the food safety standards.
India is today the world’s largest producer of milk thanks to the white revolution. Yet more than two thirds of the milk in India does not meet the food safety standards. Adulteration of milk is rampant; a startling six per cent of the samples tested in 2015 by the Ministry of Health had presence of ‘detergents’ in them confirming that ‘synthetic milk’ is a huge problem.
For a lay person trying to differentiate between contaminated and pure milk is a tall order and only specific chemical tests can reveal the truth. Contaminated milk can be a huge health hazard especially when it has been laced with urea, detergents and other toxic chemicals. Now a cheap milk testing kit has been developed by the Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) in Mysuru, which is a part of the gigantic Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This kit, which even an untrained person can use at home, helps within minutes detect contamination of six common adulterants in milk.
The kit uses just a few chemicals and strips of paper dipped in a different chemical. A change in colour of the milk or a change in colour of the paper indicates the presence of a contaminant. When detergents are present in the milk, the colour of test turns to green, yellow or blue.
Recently as part of another initiative, Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Harsh Vardhan unveiled another dedicated system for the detection of adulteration and analysis of milk, developed by Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CEERI), Pilani.
The ‘Ksheer-Scanner’ instantaneously detects the adulterants in milk. It is a low-cost portable system with user-friendly features. It enables detection of contaminants in just 40-45 seconds at the per sample cost of less than 50 paise.
A lot of milk during the festival season is made using detergents and urea. Called ‘synthetic milk’, it resembles milk but can be very harmful.Every day washing powder and refined oil are mixed and then diluted to make it look and have the consistency of real milk.

Maggi samples found ‘sub-standard’ in UP, Nestle disagrees

According to tests conducted by Lucknow-based state-owned laboratory, ash content in Maggi Masala was found to be 1.85 per cent, which is higer than the permissible limit of one per cent.
District authorities of Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh have found fresh samples of instant noodles ‘Maggi’ “sub-standard”, a claim rejected by its manufacturer Nestle India. The samples of Maggi collected from Safedabad in Barabanki district on February 5 “were found sub-standard” District Chief Food Safety Officer Manoj Kumar said.
According to tests conducted by Lucknow-based state-owned laboratory, ash content in Maggi Masala was found to be 1.85 per cent, which is higher than the permissible limit of one per cent.
Notices would be sent to the retailer and the company and, if they are dissatisfied with the report, they can send it to a referral lab at their own expense, Kumar said. However, refuting the findings, Nestle India said, “The quality and safety of our products are non-negotiable priorities for us as we adhere to strict food quality and safety procedures at all times.”
It is apparent from the media reports that standards for ‘Macaroni products’ are being applied for ‘Instant Noodles with seasoning’ which is “erroneous and misleading”, a Nestle India spokesman said.
“We categorically reiterate that testing of ‘Instant Noodles’ against norms set for ‘macaroni products’ will reflect in incorrect results and wrong interpretations.” Industry members, including Nestlé India, have made a representation to the FSSAI to remove this confusion, which is unwarranted, the company said.
Kumar, meanwhile, said if no application was receieved either from the retailer or the company within a month, a case would be lodged in the court of additional district magistrate. “A penalty of upto Rs five lakh could be imposed in this case,” he added.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON baby powder for lab tests

Months after a 62-year-old woman in the US died of ovarian cancer linked to prolonged use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has slapped a notice on the company.
 

J&J, the world’s biggest maker of healthcare products, was found liable for fraud, negligence and conspiracy in an American civil suit last month.
Months after a 62-year-old woman in the US died of ovarian cancer linked to prolonged use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has slapped a notice on the company. It has also sent for lab tests eight samples of the baby powder it has acquired from across the state.
Additionally, the FDA will also get talcum powder of other brands such as Shower to Shower, Dermicool, Ponds and Nycil tested to ensure no heavy metal is present in the products.
A US court last month directed Johnson & Johnson to pay a compensation of $72 million to the family of Jacqueline Fox, who died due to ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson baby powder for feminine hygiene for over 35 years. She also used another powder, Shower to Shower, which is now owned by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International.
Maharashtra FDA commissioner Dr Harshdeep Kamble said, “We have sent a notice to J&J company and had called its officials for a discussion. We have requested the company to present a study data on the talcum powder.”
According to the US court verdict that came on February 24, J&J was charged with “fraud, negligence and conspiracy” with links established between talcum powder and cancer.
“There needs to be a scientific validation of the cancer causing agents, if any, in the powder,” said FDA Joint Commissioner Omprakash Sadhwani, adding that information on the
composition of the product had been taken from the company. While no decision on prohibiting sale of the baby powder has been taken yet, Sadhwani said even the US FDA was holding deliberations on the product.
The testing of all top talcum powder brands will be conducted at the government-run laboratory in Bandra-Kurla Complex to check if they comply with the Bureau of Indian Standards rules laid down under the Drug and Cosmetics Act. While FDA officials claimed they were “not jumping to the conclusion of carcinogenic properties” of the powder, a check on presence of heavy metals would be done.