Health authorities suspect the contamination may stem from a chemical coolant leak in the freezer used by the dairy, which potentially allowed toxic substances to enter stored milk. Preliminary assessments describe symptoms including vomiting, abdominal pain and acute renal dysfunction, with dialysis being administered where needed. Investigators have seized the dairy and are conducting detailed laboratory examinations to confirm the exact cause and nature of the adulteration.

The police have detained the dairy vendor, identified as Addala Ganeswara Rao, who reportedly operated an unauthorised milk collection centre under the name Varalakshmi Dairy for over a decade. During the probe, investigators found evidence of contamination and irregular practices. Rao allegedly sold milk to more than 100 customers even after warnings that glycol contamination could make it toxic — an allegation that has intensified scrutiny of informal milk supply chains.

In response to the crisis, the Food Safety Department and health authorities have launched a statewide inspection drive of milk vendors, storage units and wholesale dealers to verify licences and collect samples for analysis. Rapid response teams, including medical and epidemiology specialists, are deployed in affected areas, and large numbers of blood and milk samples have been sent to laboratories in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad for testing.