The Punjab & Haryana High Court has issued a directive for the Punjab government to respond by March 5 regarding the increasing problem of adulterated milk and dairy products being sold in the state. This order comes in light of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) citing recent surveys that reveal significant adulteration in local dairy products, including desi ghee and khoya.
The PIL, referenced by Advocate Sunaina, highlights disturbing statistics where 21% of desi ghee and 26% of khoya samples in Punjab failed to meet minimum standard requirements. The court criticized state officials for their apparent negligence, suggesting they have turned a blind eye to an issue that poses a serious health risk to the public.
In her submission, Advocate Sunaina also referenced a report by the World Health Organization, which indicates that a large volume of fake or adulterated milk is sold daily in India. The report alarmingly notes that over 70% of dairy products in India do not comply with national food safety standards. It further warns that if unchecked, the prevalence of adulterated dairy products could lead to severe health crises by 2025, potentially affecting 87% of the Indian population with diseases such as cancer.
Further data provided by the Ministry of Science and Technology shows that 89.2% of dairy products in India contain some form of adulteration. Despite India being a leading milk producer globally, the incidence of adulterated milk products is disproportionately high.
The petitioner has appealed to the High Court to mandate regular inspections of milk and dairy products and to increase public awareness about how to identify adulterated products. The PIL also calls for accountability among officials responsible for food safety and seeks punitive action against those found negligent.
The use of harmful substances such as detergents, caustic soda, white paint, hydrogen peroxide, vegetable oil, and fertilizers in the production of fake milk is particularly concerning. These substances are not only illegal but also pose severe health risks, including causing life-threatening diseases like cancer.
