Adulterated milk scandal: 2.3 crore litres sold in Maharashtra

A major milk adulteration case has emerged in Bhoom taluka of Dharashiv district, Maharashtra.

A large-scale milk adulteration case has emerged in Bhoom taluka of Dharashiv district, Maharashtra. Investigations by the police and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have revealed several shocking details.

To make the adulterated milk appear genuine and maintain its fat level, the accused were allegedly using detergent powder, palm oil, and very poor quality chemical powder.

In this sensitive case, the police have registered a case against seven individuals under serious charges. However, even eight days after the case was registered, all the accused remain absconding. Examination of the seized sales registers revealed that approximately 2,30,470 kilograms of poor-quality milk powder was used for adulteration over the past six months. This resulted in the production of approximately 23,04,070 litres of synthetic (fake) milk, with an estimated value of ₹9 crore 21 lakh 62 thousand 800.

The most serious finding in the investigation was that the accused were mixing 10 litres of adulterated milk in every 100 litres of genuine milk. Based on this, officials suspect that more than 2.3 crore (23 million) litres of adulterated milk may have been supplied from the milk collection centres in the Bhoom area to different parts of Maharashtra.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a police inspector has been formed to trace the network of the accused and the adulterated materials. The team is continuously raiding suspected locations. Medical experts have warned that the continuous consumption of this adulterated milk, prepared with chemicals like detergent and palm oil, can cause severe damage to the liver, kidneys, and digestive system. It can be especially dangerous for children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

Under the Food Safety Act, those guilty of such dangerous adulteration in milk face stringent penalties, including fines up to ₹10 lakh and life imprisonment. According to Bhoom's Police Inspector Shreeganesh Kanagude, “During the raids, officials seized 61 sacks of adulterated milk powder. Initial investigations have revealed that Balasaheb Godge was supplying this powder to several dairy units in the Bhoom area to produce adulterated milk. The involvement of several milk collection centres has also come to light in the investigation. However, the buyers of thousands of litres of adulterated milk made from the powder have not yet been identified or arrested. This entire racket was being operated under the guise of selling animal feed. Bhoom taluka supplies millions of litres of milk daily and produces 70 to 80 tonnes of khoya, making this case extremely serious.”