Click to play videoNew Delhi: A glass of milk a day used to be a good idea. But, if the latest round of tests by the Food Safety Standards Authority are anything to go by, it's only safe to drink milk in Goa and Puducherry.
A new report shows that in the first cup of morning milk, one is having a lot of things with milk, like starch, detergent, salt, glucose, urea and water, which also contains pesticides and other heavy metals.
In Delhi, 50 of 71 samples randomly tested by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India were found to be contaminated with glucose and skim milk powder, probably added to increase the volume.
In 33 other states and territories, detergent, fat, urea and water were found in 68.4 per cent of the samples.
Not a single sample from West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and Mizoram conformed to standards. The only good news came in from Goa and Puducherry, with all samples getting the all-clear stamp.
Water is the most common adulterant, that is a problem as not just dilution, the inclusion of contaminated water poses health hazards.
Detergent was found to be present. This could pose a health hazard, and also indicates lack of hygiene during handling of milk.
"These are virtually poisons. These are compounds that can cause neuro toxicity, cardio toxicity, harm skin, muscles and can really paralyse a person. So we are talking about something that can really be a big health hazard," Dr Rakesh Gupta said.
The message clearly seems to be - Drink that milk, at your own risk.
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