Over 40 milk samples found in state to be of below quality standards, finds KMF study

BELAGAVI: A study conducted by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) over a period of six months has come out with a startling revelation — 44 brands of milk being sold in the state do not meet quality standards and three of them were found to be adulterated.

Following the findings, the milk federation has written to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to initiate action against those brands. The FSSAI officials have, in turn, issued notices to the respective companies.

The milk samples tested by the KMF include Adityaa (Belagavi, Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Vijayapura); Arokya (Shivamogga, Mandya, Bhadravathi, Davanagere, Belagavi, Tumakuru, Ballari, Bengaluru); Dodla (Davanagere, Hassan, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Chamarajanagar, Vijayapura, Kolar, Ballari, Kalaburagi, Bengaluru); Thirumala (Bengaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Mandya, Kolar); Heritage (Bengaluru); Jersey (Chamarajanagar, Bengaluru, Ballari, Hassan, Tumakuru); Arna (Tumakuru); Govinda (Dharwad and Belagavi) and Krishna Dairy brand of milk (Vijayapura.

Other brands that were tested include Aahaa, Srinivasa, Farmgate, Mukunda, Khushi, Srichakra (Kolar); Dilicia, Swabhimani, Gayatri (Ballari); Radhika Milk, Amul Taaza, Warna Fresh, Shiva Milk, Sangam, Sphurti All Time, Srikrishna, Prachitee Milk, A1 Gopi, Sphurti (Belagavi); Amul (Belagavi, Dharwad); Bharat Dairy (Dharwad); Sonai Milk, Rajahams Doodh, Rupatma Dudh, Dudhphandari, Gotuiayaa, Urja, Layur, Good Morning (Kalaburagi); Gowardhan Fresh Milk (Mysuru); N Milk (Chamarajanagar); Koregave, Gokul Classic, White Gold (Belagavi) and Nirmala (Shivamogga).

Dr Jagadish K G of FSSAI said milk is considered a complete food. “Milk provided proteins, fat, iron and vitamins. The KMF has tested samples of 44 brands across Karnataka of which 37 were found to be substandard. We are testing the samples again and if the findings are the same, there will be a Rs 5 lakh penalty under Section 50 for substandard milk, and up to Rs 10 lakh for adulteration under Section 59”.

The official said people can lodge complaints if they have doubts about the qualit of milk or commodities. “Natural foods are better than processed and packaged foods which do not provide nutrients and increase malnutrition”, he added.