Chennai: For the third consecutive day, dairy development minister Rajendra Balaji warned public about the chemicals mixed with the milk supplied by private milk suppliers.
“Milk has the natural tendency to get spoiled after five hours, but to enhance the shelf life private suppliers add chemicals. This causes cancer when consumed for a longer period”, minister Rajendra Balaji told reporters here on Thursday. Not all suppliers mix chemicals but there are a few private suppliers indulged in unfair trade. Samples will be taken from such suppliers and sent for lab tests. If chemicals are found in the samples criminal action will be taken up, the minister warned.
Reiterating that Aavin milk was safe for public consumption he said the state run dairy unit would take steps to increase its supply.
Responding to the minister Tamil Nadu Milk Dealers Welfare Association, S.A. Ponnusamy said that minister was creating unnecessary panic among the public.
Six years ago, the milk vendors raised the issue but the state and the department minister maintained silence, but now they are finding fault with the private milk suppliers. The minister should also clarify that the state run Aavin is also selling milk that has shelf life for several days. Is that also a chemical mixed milk? Ponnusamy asked. Further the private dairy units follow the food safety norms prescribed by the centre and if there are toxic substances in the milk supplied by private players the minister is free to take action.
But he should refrain from making unwanted comments triggering unnecessary panic.
