A dairy farm in Pabna was fined Tk 200,000 and temporarily sealed on Sunday for allegedly producing and marketing adulterated milk using jelly-like substances and hydrogen peroxide.
The action was taken against Jui Dairy Farm in Nagdemra area of Santhia upazila following a tip-off received by the Pabna district office of the Directorate of National Consumers’ Right Protection (DNCRP).
A DNCRP team led by its Pabna assistant director Md Mahmud Hasan Rony conducted the drive at around 7:00am and found evidence of the use of jelly-like substances to artificially increase the volume and density of milk and hydrogen peroxide to prolong its shelf life, according to the authorities.
During the operation, the team seized two barrels of jelly-like substances and around 2,500 litres of adulterated milk. The seized milk was destroyed at the spot.
The owner of the establishment, Md Manik, was fined Tk 200,000 under Sections 42, 43 and 45 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009. The dairy farm was also temporarily sealed.
District Sanitary Inspector Md Mahmud Alam and a team of Ansar Battalion members assisted the authorities during the operation.
Health risks
Authorities warned that consuming milk adulterated with jelly-like substances and hydrogen peroxide could pose serious health risks, particularly to children.
According to the DNCRP, prolonged consumption of such adulterated milk may increase the risk of gastrointestinal problems, including inflammation of the stomach and intestines, vomiting and diarrhoea. It may also affect liver and kidney function and interfere with normal growth and nutrient absorption in children.
The authorities said elderly people and those with chronic illnesses could also face greater health risks.
Consumers urged to remain vigilant
The DNCRP urged consumers to purchase milk from trusted and authorised sources and boil it properly before consumption.
Consumers have also been advised to avoid using milk if they notice any unusual change in its colour, smell or consistency.
The department urged people to report suspected adulterated or substandard food products to the nearest DNCRP office or call the national hotline at 16121.
The DNCRP warned food producers and traders that mixing harmful chemicals with milk or other food products, producing adulterated food and marketing substandard products are serious offences.
It said legal action, including fines and sealing of establishments, would be taken against individuals and businesses involved in such practices under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009, and, where applicable, the Food Safety Act.
The DNCRP said its drives against adulterated, counterfeit and unsafe food products would continue regularly to protect consumers and ensure food safety.
