Balachaur, November 12 (Jatinder Pal Singh Kaler):- Due to the growing trend of adulteration in Balachaur subdivision, it has become difficult to distinguish between genuine and adulterated products. Even everyday food items are falling prey to this practice. The White Revolution, which was once a source of livelihood for many people, is increasingly turning into a black market of adulteration driven by the greed of profiteers. Sharing his views with journalists, noted social worker and retired Inspector Shubhash Banth Rattewal said that despite a significant gap between the demand and supply of milk in the country, the market is flooded with milk and dairy products. This naturally raises the question of where such large quantities of milk and dairy products are coming from. The risk of adulteration increases further, particularly during festivals, when demand for sweets and milk-based products rises.
Reports of synthetic milk being prepared at several places using chemicals and harmful substances continue to surface. Punjab is also not untouched by this problem. Apart from milk, complaints of adulteration have also been reported in products such as paneer, curd, khoya, butter, desi ghee, sweets, ice cream, savouries and edible oils.
According to a status report submitted by the Punjab Government before the court, 2,191 cases related to food adulteration were disposed of in the state between January 2, 2019, and December 31, 2024. Nearly 95 per cent of these cases resulted in convictions. The large number of cases reported in districts such as Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib is a matter of concern.
Shubhash Banth Rattewal said that the continued adulteration business despite strict laws and penalties raises questions about the effectiveness of the government's monitoring system. Milk is considered a complete food, but the presence of harmful substances in it can pose a serious threat to human health and damage the digestive system, kidneys and liver. He said the government should conduct special inspection drives against adulteration throughout the year, rather than limiting them to festival seasons. Along with strict action against offenders, it is also essential to identify large-scale adulteration networks.
At the same time, livestock farmers associated with the dairy business are not receiving reasonable prices for their milk and are consequently facing financial difficulties. The government should formulate a concrete policy to support livestock farmers and small dairy businesses. Serious and effective steps are needed to protect public health and safeguard dairy farming as a source of livelihood.
