Quality of milk in Imphal : A preliminary survey
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Akoijam Meerabai and Dayanidhi Huidrom (Intellisome Food Testing and Research Centre)
Introduction
The current situation with milk in Manipur shows a significant difference between production and demand. In 2022-2023, the estimated milk production in the State was around 81.77 million litres. However, the per capita availability remains low at approximately 33 grams per day, which is far below the recommended 250 grams. The demand for milk is expected to increase signi- ficantly in the coming years. In 2019, household consumption was at 1.65 lakh litres per day, and it was projected to reach 3.52 lakh litres by 2023. It’s very likely that malpractices may have crept in.
Common adulterants found in milk pose significant health risks. These include substances such as urea, formalin, detergents, ammonium sulfate, boric acid, caustic soda, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, hydrogen peroxide, sugar, and melamine. These adulterants can lead to serious health issues, ranging from minor digestive problems to more severe conditions such as kidney damage or cancer. For example, urea is added to artificially increase the protein content, while detergents are used to give a frothy, rich appearance, misleading consumers about the milk's quality. Formalin, a preservative, prevents spoilage but is toxic to humans, and hydrogen peroxide is used for the same purpose despite its harmful effects. Melamine, infamously involved in a major food safety incident, is used to mimic a higher protein content but can cause kidney failure.
Consumers can use several simple methods to detect adulteration in milk at home. Tests can be broadly divided into two groups viz. qualitative and quantitative test. Qualitative tests are generally cheap and fast though not necessarily precise. It however gives an important hint of the presence of components of interest. Therefore, they are precursors to quantitative estimation of the chemicals/ molecules. Quantitative tests often require an elaborate process and standards (sample containing known amount of chemical/ molecule). Some of the new and sophisticated quantitative techniques such as Gas/Liquid Chromatography, Enzyme Linked Immu- nosorbent Assay (ELISA), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE). They are employed to estimate a wide range of adulterants with high precision.
Milk adulteration is a significant concern in the food safety domain. Given the importance of safe food in one’s health and society, at large, we, Intellisome Food Testing and Research Centre (a food testing arm of Intellisome Consulting Pvt. Ltd.), conducted a quick preliminary survey to understand the food safety situation wrt milk. This survey aims to investigate the prevalence of adulteration practices, analyse few common adulterants and inform citizens. The findings are expected to inform regulatory bodies and safeguard the health of the population while ensuring the authenticity of milk as a widely consumed food product. It is also our intention to make the sampling and testing methodology as scientific and impartial as possible. Consumers must be aware of these potential adulterants and support efforts to improve food safety standards.
Scope of the survey
The goal of the survey was to give the consumers birds’ eye view of the quality of milk available in the Imphal area. It will also lay the foundation for faster surveillance and deeper study of the quality of milk and other foods. The scope of the present study includes i) detection of presence detergent and starch as possible adulterants in milk ii) to determine the density of milk which in turn determines the degree of water added to pure milk.
(To be contd)
Introduction
The current situation with milk in Manipur shows a significant difference between production and demand. In 2022-2023, the estimated milk production in the State was around 81.77 million litres. However, the per capita availability remains low at approximately 33 grams per day, which is far below the recommended 250 grams. The demand for milk is expected to increase signi- ficantly in the coming years. In 2019, household consumption was at 1.65 lakh litres per day, and it was projected to reach 3.52 lakh litres by 2023. It’s very likely that malpractices may have crept in.
Common adulterants found in milk pose significant health risks. These include substances such as urea, formalin, detergents, ammonium sulfate, boric acid, caustic soda, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, hydrogen peroxide, sugar, and melamine. These adulterants can lead to serious health issues, ranging from minor digestive problems to more severe conditions such as kidney damage or cancer. For example, urea is added to artificially increase the protein content, while detergents are used to give a frothy, rich appearance, misleading consumers about the milk's quality. Formalin, a preservative, prevents spoilage but is toxic to humans, and hydrogen peroxide is used for the same purpose despite its harmful effects. Melamine, infamously involved in a major food safety incident, is used to mimic a higher protein content but can cause kidney failure.
Consumers can use several simple methods to detect adulteration in milk at home. Tests can be broadly divided into two groups viz. qualitative and quantitative test. Qualitative tests are generally cheap and fast though not necessarily precise. It however gives an important hint of the presence of components of interest. Therefore, they are precursors to quantitative estimation of the chemicals/ molecules. Quantitative tests often require an elaborate process and standards (sample containing known amount of chemical/ molecule). Some of the new and sophisticated quantitative techniques such as Gas/Liquid Chromatography, Enzyme Linked Immu- nosorbent Assay (ELISA), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE). They are employed to estimate a wide range of adulterants with high precision.
Milk adulteration is a significant concern in the food safety domain. Given the importance of safe food in one’s health and society, at large, we, Intellisome Food Testing and Research Centre (a food testing arm of Intellisome Consulting Pvt. Ltd.), conducted a quick preliminary survey to understand the food safety situation wrt milk. This survey aims to investigate the prevalence of adulteration practices, analyse few common adulterants and inform citizens. The findings are expected to inform regulatory bodies and safeguard the health of the population while ensuring the authenticity of milk as a widely consumed food product. It is also our intention to make the sampling and testing methodology as scientific and impartial as possible. Consumers must be aware of these potential adulterants and support efforts to improve food safety standards.
Scope of the survey
The goal of the survey was to give the consumers birds’ eye view of the quality of milk available in the Imphal area. It will also lay the foundation for faster surveillance and deeper study of the quality of milk and other foods. The scope of the present study includes i) detection of presence detergent and starch as possible adulterants in milk ii) to determine the density of milk which in turn determines the degree of water added to pure milk.
(To be contd)