Major Milk Adulteration Racket Busted in Gujarat, Villagers Consumed Toxic Products for Years
In a shocking revelation from Gujarat, hundreds of villagers across Sabarkantha and Mehsana districts have been unknowingly consuming milk and buttermilk adulterated with hazardous substances like detergent powder, urea, and other toxic chemicals for the past five years. This alarming situation came to light after a significant police operation on Friday.
Factory Raid Uncovers Widespread Adulteration
The Sabarkantha Local Crime Branch (LCB), acting on specific intelligence, conducted a joint raid with the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the food and drugs department. The target was a factory named Shree Satya Dairy Products, located near Salal village in Prantij taluka. During the operation, authorities uncovered a sophisticated adulteration setup.
Police officials revealed that the accused used only 300 litres of genuine milk to produce a staggering 1,700 to 1,800 litres of adulterated milk daily. This was achieved by mixing the milk with a cocktail of harmful chemicals, including water, milk powder, caustic soda, refined palmolein oil, refined soybean oil, detergent powder, and urea fertiliser. The adulterated products were then packed in pouches and supplied to numerous villages in the region.
Massive Seizure of Adulteration Materials
The raid led to the seizure of substantial quantities of adulteration materials, highlighting the scale of the operation. Items confiscated included:
- 450 kg of whey powder
- 625 kg of skimmed milk powder
- 300 kg of premium SMP powder
- Urea fertiliser
- Caustic soda
- Detergent powder
- Soybean oil and palmolein oil
Additionally, police recovered 1,962 litres of adulterated milk and 1,180 litres of adulterated buttermilk that were ready for distribution. Officials explained that these adulterants were deliberately used to artificially enhance the thickness, foam, protein content, and overall appearance of the milk, effectively deceiving consumers about its quality and safety.
Arrests Made and Owner on the Run
Following the raid, authorities arrested four individuals directly involved in the operation: plant operator Jitendra Patel and employees Sachin Makwana, Karan Parmar, and Ajaysinh Parmar. A juvenile worker was also detained during the operation. The factory was immediately sealed to prevent any further illegal activity.
However, the factory owner, identified as Rakesh alias Dhamo Patel, a resident of Salal who currently lives in Himmatnagar, managed to evade capture and is currently absconding. Police have launched an extensive search operation to apprehend him and bring him to justice.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
A formal case has been registered at the Prantij police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This legal action underscores the seriousness of the offences, which not only violate food safety regulations but also pose significant health risks to the public.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the full extent of the distribution network and the potential health impacts on villagers who have consumed these adulterated products over the years. This case highlights critical gaps in food safety monitoring and the urgent need for stricter enforcement to protect consumers from such dangerous practices.
