The Hindu : Front Page : Drive to ensure quality of milk

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Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008
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Drive to ensure quality of milk

M.P. Praveen

Dairy Development Department’s intensive drive begins on September 5

5 lakh to 7 lakh litres reach State during Onam
Quality control team to be posted at check-posts

KOCHI: The State Dairy Development Department is all set to embark on a week-long intensive quality-control drive from September 5 to ensure the quality of milk on the market during Onam season.

Quality control teams will be posted at all four major border check-posts in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Idukki and Palakkad, Sivakumaran Thampy, Deputy Director (Extension and Quality Control) of the department, told The Hindu on Monday.

Milk flow to Kerala from neighbouring States touches anywhere between 5 lakh and 7 lakh litres a day in the days leading up to Thiruvonam. It is in the range of 2 lakh litres a day now, Mr. Thampy said.

Flow of milk from Tamil Nadu has declined relatively due to a shortage felt there. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra are also eyeing the festive market in the State.

The milk will be tested at temporary labs set up at the check-posts for chemical preservatives, adulterants or neutralizers causing health hazards.

The result of a normal test will be available within half-an-hour and so the containers will not be held up indefinitely, V. Unni, Deputy Director, Dairy Development, Palakkad district, said.

On an average 60 containers carrying milk pass through the Walayar border a day, he said.

“If any harmful ingredients are detected during the tests the District Collectors concerned can seize the vehicle and destroy the contents,” Mr. Thampy said. The government has already issued an order to this effect, he said.

Besides, the brands at fault will be banned for 15 days under the Milk and Milk Products Order (MMPO) of the Essential Commodities Act.

During last Onam, two brands marketed from Tamil Nadu were banned. While one company took corrective measures, the other one failed to do so and remains banned in Kerala since then.

Loophole

Mr. Thampy, however, pointed at a loophole in the MMPO which enabled a tainted company to return to the market in a new name.

In addition to the intensified checking at check-posts, information-cum-testing stalls will operate in all 14 districts from September 5 to 11. “The public can bring any milk sample and get the result on the quality in writing,” Mr. Thampy said.

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