Adulteration fears and cross-border synthetic milk detections prompt stepped-up safety checks in India’s Rayalaseema dairy belt.
A recent suspected synthetic milk threat tied to deadly adulteration in Rajamahendravaram has prompted food safety and health authorities in Andhra Pradesh’s Rayalaseema dairy region to intensify surveillance across Tirupati and Chittoor districts. Officials say heightened vigilance is critical in areas where informal milk movement and bulk supply to chillers and private dairies — including cross-border flows from Karnataka — are common.
The alert erupted after enforcement action near Ballagiri in Karnataka, close to the Kuppam border, uncovered a synthetic milk preparation unit. Three suspects were reportedly producing counterfeit milk by blending expired milk powder, palm oil, urea and water to mimic the viscosity and fat content of genuine milk before circulating it in local markets. This discovery has raised concerns that such adulteration could infiltrate legitimate supply chains.
Food safety officials explain that adulteration tactics may include adding substances like urea, starch, detergents, maltodextrin and vegetable fats to enhance colour and thickness, along with preservatives to extend shelf life. In extreme cases, a single litre of real milk could be stretched into two litres of synthetic product, underscoring incentives for illegal profiteering while compromising product integrity.
Public health experts have issued warnings that chemically-altered or synthetic milk poses serious health risks. Adulterated products can damage the liver and kidneys, and children may suffer vomiting, diarrhoea and digestive issues. Long-term exposure could lead to more severe complications, emphasising the need for robust safety oversight in both formal and informal channels.
Authorities are urging consumers, producers and processors to watch for tell-tale signs of adulteration, such as milk that appears unnaturally white or excessively thick, unusual taste or smell, and abnormal fat consistency. Free testing facilities at the College of Dairy Technology in Tirupati offer scientific analysis to help detect tampering, and officials stress that public and industry cooperation is essential to safeguard dairy quality in the wake of these concerns.
Source: The Hans India — https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/synthetic-milk-threat-prompts-tight-checks-1051605
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