Garhshankar (Hari Krishan Gangar):- In this era of adulteration, it has become difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake products. This problem is no longer limited to human relationships; everyday food items have also fallen prey to it. The White Revolution, which once began as a supplementary occupation, has today turned into a black market of adulteration due to the ill intentions of profiteers. According to a national-level survey, milk production stands at 16 crore litres, while consumption is 64 crore litres.
According to a report by the Ministry of Science and Technology, a large proportion of milk and milk-based products in the country have been found to contain some form of adulteration. Despite the huge gap between the demand for and supply of milk in the country, how do milk and milk-based products continue to remain available in the market? This is, in itself, a serious question. The issue becomes even more important during festivals, when the demand for sweets and dairy products rises, raising questions about the source of such huge quantities of milk and milk-based products.
It is evident that the business of synthetic milk and adulterated products is also growing to meet this demand. Reports frequently emerge from various places about the production of synthetic milk using chemicals and other harmful substances. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has also repeatedly expressed concern over the quality and standards of milk.
Punjab, which is counted among the prosperous states of the country and where animal husbandry and dairy farming are important sources of income for people, is also not untouched by this problem. Reports of the State Food and Drug Administration have highlighted worrying facts regarding quality deficiencies and the presence of harmful substances in samples of milk and other food items.
Recently, during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation filed against adulteration in milk and dairy products, the Punjab Government's Department of Health and Family Welfare submitted a status report before the court. According to the information provided by the government, a total of 2,191 cases related to food adulteration were disposed of in the state between January 2, 2019, and December 31, 2024. Punishments were awarded in approximately 95 per cent of these cases. The amount collected through fines was also reported to be substantial.
The large number of cases reported in districts such as Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib reflects the seriousness of the situation. Adulteration is not limited to milk alone; products such as paneer, curd, khoya, butter, sweets, desi ghee, ice cream, savoury snacks, turmeric, chilli powder, rose syrup and edible oils have also fallen prey to it.
Despite these figures, a major question arises: why and how does the business of adulteration continue to flourish despite action against offenders and heavy fines? Are profiteers not afraid of the law, or does corruption within the government system give them the freedom to act arbitrarily? If such businesses continue despite strict legal provisions, questions about the effectiveness of government monitoring and the inspection system are only natural.
There was a time in India's history when almost every household kept livestock. Milk and curd were produced to meet household needs. At that time, meeting people's needs and strengthening social bonds were considered more important than earning profits by selling milk. However, times have changed completely. The race for huge profits in the dairy business has also given rise to adulteration.
This trend reaches its peak, particularly during festivals. Those involved in adulteration have little concern about the impact that consuming adulterated milk and sweets may have on people's health. Their sole aim is to accumulate as much wealth as possible. People's health and lives have no significance for them.
Milk is considered a complete food and contains several nutrients essential for the human body. However, when harmful chemicals and other substances are mixed into it, instead of being nutritious, it can become a health hazard. Such adulteration can pose a risk of damage to the digestive system, kidneys, liver and other organs of the body.
This heinous business of adulteration not only plays with people's health but also weakens human values. When someone deliberately makes profits by feeding people poisonous and substandard substances, it amounts to a serious crime against society.
Therefore, it is extremely important to take the strictest possible action against those involved in the adulteration business. Playing with public health is not a minor issue. The government should launch special campaigns to regularly test milk and other food products. The inspection system must be strengthened, offenders should be given strict punishments, and major commercial networks involved in adulteration should also be identified.
At the same time, people need to be made aware so that they can identify adulterated products and report such cases to the concerned departments.
The government and administration must understand that this issue, which directly concerns people's health, is extremely serious. Their responsibility cannot be considered fulfilled merely by conducting raids during festivals. There is a need for year-round inspections and monitoring on a war footing. The government must also take appropriate steps to protect dairy farming as a supporting occupation.
