As per the tests done by Ludhiana-based NGO Consumer Protection Force the contamination level in the packaged milk is above the permissible limit. The NGO has tested seven leading brands selling packaged milk and has found that none of them is fit to drink.
The NGO has tested the milk on two parameters –
- TPC – Total Plate Count – which shows the total count of bacteria in milk.
- Coliform Count – a general indicator of hygienic conditions in dairy production and processing environments.
The normal acceptable level for pasteurized milk as per industry norms –
- TPC – 30,000 cfu/ml
- Coliform Count – 10 clu/ml
In the tested brands TPC ranged from 10, 00,000 cfu/ml to 6, 60, 00,000 cfu/ml. And Coliform Count ranged from 60 clu/ml to 7, 10,000 clu/ml. Shocked??? Yes I was also as many of us are unknowingly having that milk. Most shocking is that they are also sold in the market. With the decreasing number of cows and khatals in India the maximum population depends upon the packaged milk. It’s cheap also and easily available. But what about the contamination level???
It’s an alarming area. What could be the reason behind? The pasteurization process is not up to the mark or the unhygienic condition of the plant. Have you ever thought when would have the milk that we are having been milked? What is the normal process? NGO president Rajiv Tandon says
“Typically, the farmer milks the cow at around four am. An unrefrigerated tanker does the rounds and collects milk from various collection points in villages and transports it to the chilling centre. Usually, this tanker reaches the centre after a gap of five to six hours. The milk is then processed and pasteurization takes place where, theoretically, all bacteria should get eliminated. This, however, is obviously not happening, either because of lapses in the pasteurization process or unhygienic conditions inside the plant. The milk is then packed in pouches and again transported in unrefrigerated vans to shops, where it lies in trays in the open. The bacteria count multiplies at a geometric pace and that is why it is running into crores. The milk we drink today has most probably been milked from the cow a couple of days earlier.”
The above process clarifies where the flaw is. Its high time that the milk companies should adapt the modern techniques and methods for the full processing and packaging of the vital food ingredient.
Courtesy – INDIAN EXPRESS
We are aware of this process, but no one wants to spoil the chain. Such harmful contents can’t be put off immediately. Big companies have been following such steps to bring milk to people along with a unbeatable pricing. If people are willing to pay more, such things can be taken care off. Or if there is a support from the goverment, like in other countries.
Eventually when companies competitive level rises, maybe after 5-10 years, to prove themselves, companies might corrent their ways to served and gain customer confidence better. But for now, things are rolling fine the way it is going. Till another decade don’t bother to have any bizzare sudden change indian people. We are always accepting, without any reasoning. Thats how we been natured.
I think what india would need is a revolution, not evolving ever now and then. But its tooooo far beyond rising population of uneducated population.
We are aware of this process, but no one wants to spoil the chain. Such harmful contents can’t be put off immediately. Big companies have been following such steps to bring milk to people along with a unbeatable pricing. If people are willing to pay more, such things can be taken care off. Or if there is a support from the goverment, like in other countries.
Eventually when companies competitive level rises, maybe after 5-10 years, to prove themselves, companies might corrent their ways to served and gain customer confidence better. But for now, things are rolling fine the way it is going. Till another decade don’t bother to have any bizzare sudden change indian people. We are always accepting, without any reasoning. Thats how we been natured.
I think what india would need is a revolution, not evolving ever now and then. But its tooooo far beyond rising population of uneducated population.