March 28, 2012

India reports milk samples incompliant to food safety standards

The Indian government has reported that 68.4% of milk samples last year were found to be incompliant to the food safety regulations.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, the Health Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, said, "…in the National Survey conducted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India in 2011, to ascertain the quality of liquid milk through the country, 68.4% (of) samples were found to be non-conforming to the Food Safety and Standards Regulations."

The national survey was conducted to create awareness among the public, Azad said.

"The Commissioners of Food Safety in the States and the Union Territories are empowered to take remedial measures under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The Food Safety Standards Authority of India has already issued an advisory to them to maintain standards of milk," the Minister said.

Replying to another question on quality of milk in Delhi, Azad said that out of the 71 samples picked last year, 50 were found to be non-conforming.

"Out of 71 samples of liquid milk picked up from Delhi by the Food Safety and Standards Authority for testing, 50 samples were not found to be conforming to the standards as glucose and skimmed milk powder were found added," he said.

In reply to a similar question, Azad said, "In 2011, a large number of samples were not found to be conforming to the standards. It was not established that these are unsafe and injurious to health."

"This was only a snap shot survey to create awareness", he added.

Replying to a question on food adulteration, the Minister of State for Health, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, said, "A new comprehensive legislation which consolidates the laws related to food was enacted by Parliament."