Lok Sabha Question No. 1055 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-22
Subject: Quality of Processed Milk
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1055 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 ND NOVEMBER, 2019

## QUALITY OF PROCESSED MILK

## 1055. SHRI T.R. BAALU:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether 37.7% of processed Milk supplied to the people in the country is safe as per the quality survey carried out by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and if so, thedetails thereof;
- (b)whether it is also a fact that the problem of Aflatoxin -M1 contamination in Milk which has life - threatening potential through damage to liver, is high in States like Tamil Nadu, Delhi etc. and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the actions taken by Central and State  Governments  to  ensure  supply  of  safe and quality milk?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a ): No. As per the findings of the third party assisted Nationwide Milk Safety and Qu Survey conducted by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in 2018, 93% of samples (5976 out of 6432) were found to be safe for human consumption. 41% samples, though found safe, were, however, deficient in  quality parameters [low fat or low SNF (Solid  N or both.
- (b): As  per  findings  of  the  survey,  presence  of  Aflatoxin  M1  residues  beyond  permissi limits were observed in 368 out of 6432 samples constituting 5.7% of the samples. Amongst the top three States with highest levels of Aflatoxin M1 residues are Tamil Nadu (88 out samples), Delhi (38 out of 262 samples) and Kerala (37 out of 187 samples).
- (c): In order to ensure the availability of safe food products including milk and milk p to  the  consumers  and  for  keeping  a  check  on  adulteration,  Food  Safety  Commissioners States/UTs have been advised from time to time to keep a strict vigil by regul arly drawing food samples from all sources viz. manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers and to take stri against the offenders under the provisions of FSS Act, 2006. They have also been advis carry out enforcement drive for 3 months during w hich samples of milk should be drawn from all cities & towns, both of raw milk as well as processed milk, with focus on areas where s were found to be unsafe during the survey.

FSSAI, vide Order dated 13 th August, 2019  has directed that a food business holding Central License and falling under 6 high risk categories, including dairy products and a excluding products of food category 2.0 (Fats and oils, and fat emulsion),  shall get it audited by a recognised auditing agency at i tervals specified by the Food Authority regarding adherence to  hygiene and  sanitary requirements as specified in Schedule 4 of Food Safe Standards (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 2011.

FSSAI has recently announced a policy for adoption of Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kit/Equipment/Method  for regulatory purpose (either on field, in laboratory or which  includes  kits  for  analysis  of  milk  including  adulterations. In  cases  where  samples  are found to be non -conforming to the pr ovisions of FSS Act, 2006 , Rules and Regulations made thereunder, penal action  is being  taken against the defaulting Food Business Operator theprovisions of FSS Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations made thereunder.