High Court Orders Punjab Government Response on Adulterated Dairy Products

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has issued a directive for the Punjab government to respond by March 5 regarding the increasing problem of adulterated milk and dairy products being sold in the state. This order follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) citing surveys that reveal significant adulteration in local dairy products, including desi ghee and khoya.

The PIL, referenced by Advocate Sunaina, highlights alarming statistics where 21% of desi ghee and 26% of khoya samples in Punjab failed to meet minimum standard requirements. The court criticized state officials for neglecting an issue that poses serious health risks to the public.

Advocate Sunaina also referenced a WHO report indicating that over 70% of dairy products in India do not comply with national food safety standards. The report warns of severe health crises by 2025, potentially affecting 87% of the Indian population with diseases such as cancer if the issue isn't addressed.

Further data provided by the Ministry of Science and Technology shows that 89.2% of dairy products in India contain some form of adulteration. Despite being a leading milk producer, India's incidence of adulterated milk products remains high.

The use of harmful substances such as detergents, caustic soda, and hydrogen peroxide in the production of fake milk is of particular concern, as these pose severe health risks, including the potential for diseases like cancer.