Sweet makers seek cheap, fast detection of adulterants in milk

Fast, cheap and convenient methods for detection of adulterants in milk, food safety norms, increasing shelf life of khoya, safe storage and transportation of milk were major areas of focus during a one-day interface on 'Milk Quality Assurance and Dairy based Health Foods' organised jointly between National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology and Halwai Association Punjab on Wednesday where the objective of the interface was to increase awareness among sweet-makers to improve quality by adopting latest technologies developed by institutes of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The programme was organised in association with National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP).

President of Punjab Halwai Association Narinder Pal Singh lamented that they had no system for detection of adulterants and quality of milk. Saying that they want to collaborate with CIPHET for establishing lab for food safety, he said that they need fast, cheap and convenient methods for detection of adulterants in milk. Terming safe storage of sweets as a major problem, he said that they need some technology to increase shelf life of khoya.

Dr Y S Rajput, head of Biochemistry division, NDRI, spoke on kits developed by NDRI for detection of bacterial contaminants, detergent and other adulterants in milk.

Some 30 scientists of different faculties from the NDRI interacted to create awareness amongst the sweet-makers about various kits which could be used for detection of adulterants in milk and technologies/products developed by the premier institute in dairy research. Scientists from NDRI gave presentations on rapid tests for detection of bacterial contaminants and adulterations, better shelf life, protein enrich iron fortified bajra biscuit, dietetic dahi , whey-based beverage, arjuna herbal ghee, reconstitute rasmalai and basundi mix, carbonated sweetened beverage and functional milk drink.

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