Patna: A food safety inspection at a dairy near Bhattipar Pipa Pul in Danapur has raised concerns over milk adulteration after officials detected formalin in one of seven milk samples tested during the raid.
Following the detection, officials destroyed around 180 litres of milk stored at the dairy. The inspection was conducted on Tuesday on the directions of Food Safety Commissioner and Health Secretary Kumar Ravi as part of a wider campaign of surprise checks at milk markets across Patna.
Formalin Found In One Sample
Food safety officials conducted on-the-spot testing of seven milk samples at the Danapur dairy. Formalin was detected in one of the samples, according to the inspection team. Officials, however, said they did not find formalin, hydrogen peroxide or another suspected chemical stored at the dairy premises.
Dairy operator Shyam Rai denied adding chemicals to the milk. He claimed that some milk suppliers may be adding substances to prevent the milk from spoiling quickly and extend its shelf life before supplying it to dairies.
Food Safety Officer Sudama Chaudhary warned the dairy operator about the potential health risks associated with formalin and cautioned that further action could be taken if adulteration was detected again.
180 Litres Of Milk Destroyed
After the formalin contamination was confirmed, around 180 litres of milk kept at the dairy were disposed of under the supervision of food safety officials. The inspection was led by Sudama Chaudhary, with senior analyst Mukesh Chandra Prasad assisting with the testing.
Officials said the department has been instructed to conduct surprise inspections at milk markets and other locations where milk is sold. The campaign is aimed at detecting chemical and other forms of adulteration before such products reach consumers.
Starch Adulteration Found At Patna Junction
The inspection campaign has also extended to the Patna Junction milk market, where officials tested milk for possible adulteration. While formalin was not detected in the sample tested there, officials found starch adulteration in one milk sample.
The department said testing would focus on suspected adulterants including formalin and starch. Officials are expected to continue inspections at dairies, milk markets and other points of sale across Patna.
Doctors Warn Of Health Risks
Doctors have warned about the potential health risks associated with exposure to formalin. Dr Manoj Kumar Sinha, medical director of New Gardiner Hospital, said formalin can particularly affect the eyes and skin, potentially causing irritation, watering and redness. He also cautioned that prolonged exposure can pose serious health risks.
Paediatrician Dr Birendra Kumar Singh of IGIMS said children can be particularly vulnerable to poor-quality or adulterated milk. He also raised concerns about other possible adulterants such as urea, starch, detergent and contaminated water, which can affect health.
According to the doctor, contaminated or adulterated milk may cause digestive problems and affect nutrition. Prolonged exposure to harmful substances may also carry more serious health consequences.
Food Safety Checks To Continue
The food safety department has made arrangements for field testing of milk samples and is placing particular emphasis on detecting chemical and starch adulteration. Officials have said the inspection campaign will continue at milk markets and dairies in Patna.
The Danapur case has also highlighted the difficulty of monitoring milk adulteration across the supply chain. The dairy operator’s claim that suppliers could be responsible for adding substances has raised questions about the need for checks at multiple stages before milk reaches consumers.
Where To Report Suspected Adulteration
Consumers who suspect that milk or other food products have been adulterated can report the matter through official food safety channels. The FSSAI toll-free helpline is 1800-11-2100, while the Bihar Food Safety Department can be contacted at fsohqfsdbihar@gmail.com. Consumers can also approach the Food Safety Officer’s office at the Civil Surgeon’s Office campus in Gardanibagh, Patna, or contact the Bihar Health Department at health-bih@nic.in.
Consumers should retain relevant details such as the shop or dairy name and address, purchase date, bill or packet, batch number and photographs, where available, while filing a complaint. Authorities have urged consumers to use official food safety channels to report suspected adulteration rather than attempting potentially hazardous chemical tests at home.
