Keeping in view the reports about milk adulteration and subsequent directions from the Supreme Court, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to facilitate food business operators (FBOs) from the milk trade in setting up infrastructure for milk testing at their premises.
In this regard, according to a circular issued by the apex food regulator, FSSAI wants vendors to install such infrastructure to enable the consumer, bulk or individual, to test the milk for any kind of adulteration.
The circular says, “Concerns were raised time to time about quality of milk and milk products sold, particularly in festival time. The FSSAI, therefore has decided to facilitate setting up of infrastructural facilities to enable the customers, bulk and individual to test these products.”
The aim is to give easy access to consumers to the testing equipment so that the safety and quality of the milk can be ensured at the shop.
With regards to that the apex food regulator has sought information regarding equipments for milk testing, conventional and rapid, to test quality of milk and milk products.
The equipments found suitable will be put on demonstration before the consumers and regulatory officers.
Metropolitan cities will be the first to have the mechanism in place, where milk outlets are present. The FSSAI aims at setting up of the facilities during the current festive season.
It is pertinent to mention here that during the festive season, the quality related to milk and milk products always remains a matter of concern while FSSAI feels that this setup will help the shop-owners and others to establish their credibility.
It may be noted that the apex court had directed the Union government to put in place stringent penalties for milk adulteration after which the ministry of health decided to amend the sentence for milk adulteration to make it more harsher.
