Question : Presence of Aflatoxin in Milk

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether processed milk has been found to be contaminated due to the presence of Aflatoxin M1 according to a study conducted by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government intends to take steps to regularize Aflatoxin M1 as the said toxin is currently not being regulated in India;

(c) whether Aflatoxin M1 comes in the milk through cattle feed and fodder, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes to introduce a system, including good storage practices and awareness programmes for dairy farmers, in order to keep a check on the quality of cattle feed and fodder; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a): Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 prescribe maximum limit of Aflatoxin M1 in milk as 0.5 ug /kg.

National Milk Safety and Quality Survey, 2018 conducted by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) revealed presence of Aflatoxin M1 residues in milk beyond permissible limits in 368 (out of 6,432) samples of milk constituting 5.7% of the total number of samples analysed. Out of these, 227 samples out of 2607 samples of processed milk were found to be contaminated with Aflatoxin M1 residues beyond the permissible limit.

(b) to (e): Animal feed does not come under the ambit of FSSAI. In order to address the issue, FSSAI has issued directions on 27.01.2020 wherein it has been stated that commercial feeds shall comply with the relevant standards of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), as may be specified by the Food Authority from time to time and carry BIS certification mark on the label of the product.

Further, in the context of above direction, another direction has been issued on 27.01.2020 making it mandatory for feeds intended for cattle to comply with the BIS specifications for compounded feeds for cattle (IS 2050:2009) and carry a BIS certification mark on the label of the products.