Adulterated milk racket busted

1. One person arrested
2. 100 litres of adulterated milk, hydrogen peroxide and 35 kg of milk powder seized

metro india news  I Ibrahimpatnam:

The Maheshwaram Zone Special Operations Team (SOT) of the Future City Police Commissionerate raided an adulterated milk manufacturing unit at Pocharam village under the Ibrahimpatnam police station limits and arrested one person. The accused was identified as Ande Srisailam (43), a milk trader and resident of Pocharam village in Ibrahimpatnam mandal.

According to the police, they received credible information that Srisailam was adulterating milk by mixing hydrogen peroxide and Dholpur milk powder and supplying it to consumers in Hyderabad. Acting on the information, the SOT team conducted a raid and took him into custody.

100 litres of adulterated milk, a litre of hydrogen peroxide and 35 packets of Dholpur milk powder, weighing one kg each were seized during the raid. The accused, along with the seized material, was handed over to the Ibrahimpatnam police station. Further legal action is being initiated.

The Future City Police urged the public to remain vigilant against food adulteration activities that pose a threat to public health and to inform the concerned authorities about any suspicious manufacture or sale of adulterated milk.

The most significant finding is that the problem extends beyond liquid milk to the entire dairy supply chain, including paneer, khoya, curd, ghee and cream. The November 6 Ibrahimpatnam case is particularly serious because of the alleged use of hydrogen peroxide in milk supplied to Hyderabad consumers.

How hydrogen peroxide affects health

Hydrogen peroxide in milk can pose a serious health risk, particularly when consumed repeatedly or in significant quantities. It is a chemical oxidising agent and is not a legitimate ingredient for extending the shelf life of milk meant for consumers.<The health risks include stomach irritation, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and discomfort. It can also lead to intestinal damage. If taken regularly at higher concentrations, it could damage the digestive tract and lead to excessive gas formation.

Hydrogen peroxide breaks down and releases oxygen, causing bloating, belching and gastric distension and internal burns. Concentrated solutions can burn the mouth, food pipe and stomach lining.

In rare, severe cases, oxygen bubbles can enter blood vessels, causing gas embolism and blocking blood flow. Hydrogen peroxide can degrade certain nutrients, including folic acid in milk.