KARIMNAGAR: In spite of having four dairy companies and around 100 dairy farms, Karimnagar district is not having adequate milk. As a result, some companies and owners of farms are allegedly indulging in the adulteration of milk, an essential source of vitamins and proteins for humans.
At present, a total of 2.50 lakh litres of milk is being produced in the district. Karimnagar Milk Producers Company Limited (KMPCL) procures around one lakh litres of milk per day from farmers.
Mulkanur Cooperative Society, Priya and Nagarjuna Dairies account for 90,000 litres of milk. Meanwhile, the dairy farms, which are run by farmers, record a production of 60,000 litres of milk every day.
According to the standards of the World Health Organisation (WHO), a human must consume about 180 milliliters (ml) of milk a day in order to stay fit. The Karimnagar district with a population of 38 lakhs need 6.84 lakh litres of milk.
This means the district is facing a shortage of around 4 lakh litres of milk every day. Considering the huge gap between demand and supply, some companies and dairy farms are accused of involving in illegal activities taking public health for granted.
They are adulterating milk using harmful detergents, formalin, glucose and starch powder, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide and milk powder containing animal fats.
At the same time, in order to preserve, to enhance taste and to add tinge, it is learned that some hazardous chemicals are being mixed in the milk, often described as nature’s wholesome food.
Adulteration is rampant in the district and its main intention to earn huge profits and the main driver of this phenomenon is the absence of vigilance by food safety authorities.
The public wants vigilance stepped up to effectively counter this, as it is a matter concerning public health, particularly that of children.
