Judicial Precedents On Adulteration Of Milk And Milk Products - An Analysis
- IJLLR Journal
- Oct 13
- 2 min read
Arulmozhi M V, Tamilnadu Dr Ambedkar Law University
Dr. C. Chockalingam, Crescent School of Law
Introduction
Adulteration of food is widespread menace during all times and ages. Adulteration with milk and milk products is often considered more toxic and life threatening because of the adulterants added in the dairy products to increase its colour, thickness, volume, preservatives etc.
Some common milk adulterants include water, urea, sugar, starch, detergents, and chemical preservatives like formalin, hydrogen peroxide, and antibiotics. These are added to increase volume, improve apparent protein or sugar content, thicken watered-down milk, preserve it, or enhance taste. However, they reduce the milk's nutritional value and can cause serious health problems, including digestive issues, kidney damage, heart problems, and potentially cancer. Skimmed milk powder is also added many a times to restore fat and other lost components in milk after dilution made with water. Adulterants reduce the concentration of essential nutrients like calcium and protein, leading to a lack of vital nutrition. Some adulterants, like formalin and hydrogen peroxide, are toxic and can lead to severe health conditions, including organ damage and cancer. Substances like starch and detergents can cause digestive issues, leading to discomfort and other long-term problems. Regular consumption of adulterated milk can compromise the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections.
Time and again the judiciary had warned the adulteration made with milk and milk products. Milk and milk products order, 1992 which had been enacted by the Central Government power given under Section 3 of the Essential commodities Act,1955 is also still in force even after the enactment of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. After the Prevention of Food adulteration Act, 1954 was repealed, section 99 of the Food safety and Standards Act , 2006 retains the Milk and Milk products order, 1992 as Milk and Milk products regulations consisting of 32 section which regulates the dairy sector by overseeing registration, sanitary conditions, quality, and distribution of milk and milk products.
