Hamirpur: Consumers Alarmed Over Presence of Urea in Local Milk; Investigation Underway
Hamirpur, March 21: A concerning issue has emerged in Hamirpur district after urea was found in a local milk sample, sparking fears over the safety of locally sourced milk. The discovery came after a routine investigation conducted by the Food Safety Department using the Mobile Food Testing Lab (MFTL). Urea, a harmful substance that poses significant health risks, was detected in the milk sample. However, initial investigations suggest that the urea may have entered the milk through the fodder fed to cows, rather than being a result of deliberate adulteration.
The sample in question was provided by a local consumer who had grown suspicious of the milk’s quality. The individual, who orders milk daily from a local cow keeper, took the precaution of submitting the sample for testing. The investigation, which utilized the Milko Screen device, revealed an unusually high amount of urea in the milk. This discovery has raised concerns among the residents of Hamirpur, who rely on locally sourced milk as a safer alternative to potentially adulterated milk found in the market.
The Food Safety Department’s preliminary findings indicate that the urea content in the milk does not appear to be a result of intentional adulteration, which typically aims to increase the milk’s volume or shelf life. Instead, experts believe that the urea might have entered the milk indirectly, through the cows’ feed. The possibility of contaminated or imbalanced fodder containing urea is now being investigated.
In response to the incident, the district administration has taken swift action. Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Hamirpur, Amarjit Singh, has directed the Food Safety Department to launch an awareness campaign for local cattle rearers. He emphasized the importance of educating them about the proper feeding practices to ensure the safety of milk produced in the region. DC Singh stressed that providing cattle with balanced and safe feed is crucial to maintaining the quality of the milk.
The discovery of urea in the milk has raised alarms among local consumers, many of whom rely on purchasing milk from rural areas to avoid adulterated or substandard milk available in the market. The incident has caused a ripple of concern, with people now questioning the safety of the milk they consume daily. This has also led to a growing demand for stricter regulations and more rigorous testing of milk and dairy products in the region.
In light of this, the Food Safety Department has issued a cautionary advisory to the public, urging consumers to be vigilant when purchasing milk. The department recommends that anyone who suspects the quality of their milk should immediately have it tested to ensure its safety. Additionally, the Food Safety Department has announced that it will be increasing its monitoring activities, focusing on local milk sellers and cattle rearers to prevent further incidents of contamination.
As investigations continue, the authorities are hopeful that greater awareness and improved practices among cattle rearers will help prevent the recurrence of such issues. For now, the residents of Hamirpur remain on edge, awaiting assurances that their daily milk supply is safe for consumption. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of quality control in the dairy industry and the need for constant vigilance to protect public health.
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