In a major step towards ensuring public health and food safety, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art milk adulteration testing facility. The facility, dedicated by Vice-Chancellor Prof Naveen Kumar, aims to tackle the growing issue of milk adulteration, which poses serious health risks, especially for children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Addressing the gathering, Prof Kumar underscored the urgency of addressing this public health concern. “Adulterated milk is a severe health threat, and it is our responsibility to empower the public with access to reliable testing that ensures the safety of their food,” he stated.
The new testing facility, housed within the Department of Livestock Products Technology, will allow the general public to check both the natural composition of raw milk and the presence of adulterants at a nominal cost. Dr Ashok Kumar Panda, Dean of the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, also highlighted the alarming rise in milk adulteration cases. “Milk adulteration is not just a growing problem but a significant public health crisis. Harmful substances like water, urea, formalin, hydrogen peroxide, detergent, starch, and vegetable oils have been detected in milk supplies, leading to alarming health risks,” he explained.
The facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including Ultrasound and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, enabling rapid and highly accurate testing. Dr RK Asrani, Head of the Department of Livestock Products Technology, noted that this advanced system marks a significant improvement over traditional testing methods. “Unlike older methods that were time-consuming and expensive, this system provides results within minutes. It can analyse the natural composition of milk and detect over 25 common adulterants,” he said.
With its affordable and efficient testing process, the facility is expected to play a vital role in curbing milk adulteration and ensuring that consumers across the state have access to safe and nutritious milk. This initiative marks a significant advancement in food safety measures in Himachal Pradesh, reinforcing the university’s commitment to public health and scientific innovation.
