NHRC notices to the Government of Jharkhand and the Centre over the reported spurious milk selling in Dhanbad

New Delhi, 2nd January, 2023

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report, carried on 30th December, 2022, that refined and caustic soda is being mixed in one litre of milk to make it 15 litres of spurious and fake milk to reap profits in Dhanbad, Jharkhand. Reportedly, earlier, only water used to be mixed with milk but now urea, surf and starch is being used to make spurious milk to earn profit at the cost of health of the people. This spurious milk cannot be detected even by a lactometer.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to violation of rights related health of the people. However, going it contents, prima facie, it appears to be a culpable negligence on the part of the public servants.

Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Jharkhand and the Director General, Health Services, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare calling for the reports within six weeks in the matter.

The Chief Secretary has been asked to submit a detailed report on the prevalence of spurious milk selling; the DGP has been specifically asked about the registration of FIRs by mentioning the penal offences invoked, progress of investigation and the details of the accused persons, if any. The report must also mention the preventive actions, initiated by the Police.

The Director General, Health Services, who is ex-officio chairman of the Central Committee for Food Standards has to submit a report regarding the preventive action taken or proposed to be taken to eradicate selling of spurious milk and other food items in the State of Jharkhand.

The Commission has further observed that despite the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act in force, it appears that it is not being implemented effectively in Jharkhand. The Act provides enormous power for inspecting of any place where the food item is manufactured, stored for sale or even the food items have been kept for making it adulterated one. The power has also been given to seize such adulterated food item and to take all legal actions against the seller or manufacturer of food item.

According to the media report, there is a demand for 3 lakh litres of milk in Dhanbad, while production is only 1.90 lakh litres. This is the reason that there is a big market for spurious milk. It is also reported that one kg. of skimmed milk is sold for Rs. 320-340. After mixing refined oil and caustic soda, one kg. becomes 15 kg. of milk. Then total sale output of milk is Rs. 825/- .

Reportedly, there is a possibility of infection in stomach leading to cancer. The testing of refined and caustic soda is done in lab. It can be tested at home also. By mixing para-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde chemical in the milk, its colour turns yellowish indicating urea in it; it becomes red by putting Rosalic acid indicating caustic soda in it; iodine solution turns it bluish or grey indicating starch in it.

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