After deaths, AP steps up awareness on milk adulteration

The Andhra Pradesh Food Safety Department will launch an awareness drive in educational institutions to help people identify milk adulteration, following the deaths of 12 persons after allegedly consuming adulterated milk in Rajamahendravaram.

According to a release from the Department of Health, Medical Education, and Family Welfare on Tuesday, the Institute of Preventive Medicine Director, Dr. Neelakantha Reddy, has issued guidelines outlining simple methods to detect adulteration in milk. These will be printed as pamphlets and distributed in schools and colleges.

We will also run awareness campaigns in public places and share the information on social media.

Dr. Reddy said adulteration in milk and its by-products can be identified using simple at-home tests. A drop of pure milk placed on a slanted plate flows slowly, leaving a white streak behind. Milk mixed with water flows down quickly without leaving such a mark.

Another method involves mixing 10 ml of milk with 10 ml of water in a glass, then shaking well. Foam forming on the surface may indicate the presence of urea or detergents.

Corn flour or other starch substances are sometimes added to increase thickness. To check this, two to three drops of iodine solution can be added to milk in a glass. If the milk turns blue, it indicates adulteration. If the colour does not change, the milk is considered pure.

A similar test can be used to detect starch adulteration in ghee. Two to three drops of iodine solution added to a spoon of ghee will turn it blue if starch is present.

To check whether palm oil has been mixed into ghee, heat a spoonful of ghee with sugar. If the colour turns pink or red, it may indicate adulteration. Pure ghee, when added to a glass of hot water, floats on the surface.

Consumers can report suspected cases of milk adulteration by calling the toll-free helpline 1800 425 3857 or 08645 297245.