GUWAHATI: Â A team from Hyderabad-based Vimta Labs appointed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is currently on a tour of the Northeast to test and determine the quality of milk sold to consumers.
“The team has already tested samples of milk in Meghalaya (Shillong and Tura) and Arunachal Pradesh (Itanagar) and has arrived here today to investigate the same at the State Public Health Laboratory. Apart from Kamrup metro, they would be touring Goalpara and Dhubri in the coming days before proceeding to Manipur,” L. R. Nampui, designated officer, food safety (Kamrup metro), told The Shillong Times on Wednesday.
The officials from Vimta Labs tested various milk samples collected from Kamrup metro inside the Food Safety on Wheels van at the State Public Health Laboratory here on Wednesday.
The test reports which have been sent to FSSAI however were not revealed.
The move by the food regulator is a part of the nationwide milk quality surveillance for which Vimta Labs was appointed earlier in the year.
Common adulterants in milk are detergents, sugar, salt and urea.
It may be noted that following complaints of adulterated milk, the state food safety department has raided several areas in the city.
“We have so far collected 19 samples within two days from places like Khanapara, Narangi and others and a few were found to be sub-standard though no chemical was detected. The spot testing was done inside the mobile vans (Food Safety on Wheels) while the statutory samples have been sent to the State Public Health Laboratory here for testing and subsequent action,” Nampui said.
The food safety department has already cracked down on calcium carbide-ripened mangoes and bananas in the city and parts of Jorhat, Dhubri and Morigaon.
“We have destroyed several thousand quintals of artificially ripened mangoes and a substantial amount of bananas so far. Despite manpower shortage, we will ensure that drive is effectively carried out in the coming days,” he said.
