Question : QUALITY OF MILK

(a) the details of the surveys conducted in various States on the quality of milk and milk products during the last three years and the current year and the findings thereof, State-wise;

(b) whether the Food Safety Standards Authority of India has made it mandatory for milk manufacturers to test it for organism such as E.Coli, staphaureus etc. and other chemical adulteration, if so, the details and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the surveillance on the quality of milk produced and marketed in the States have been hampered due to lack of trained human resources;

(d) whether the States have been advised to increase their surveillance to achieve bacteria free and unadulterated supply of milk;and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps proposed to be taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a) The National Survey on Milk Standards was conducted during the year 2011 by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to ascertain the quality of milk and identify different types of liquid milk not conforming to prescribed standards throughout the country. Samples were collected randomly from 33 States/UTs and analysed. A copy of State/UTs wise report on National Survey is at Annexure.

(b) The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has made it mandatory for the milk processing units to comply with the Microbiological parameters including E.Coli & Staphaureus and other chemical parameters w.e.f. 05.02.12, as specified in Table-14 of Appendix-A and Table-2 of Appendix-B of the Food safety & Standards (Foods Products and Food Additives) Regulation- 2011, in order to ensure availability of Safe and Wholesome food for human consumption.

(c) No.

(d) & (e) All Food Safety Commissioners of States/UTs have been requested to take appropriate action so that the deficiencies noticed during the survey can be rectified by the concerned food business operators.