It is well known that the packaged milk we are drinking is often diluted with water and may contain contaminants that can harm our health. That is the reason why many people in India, even those living in developed districts of the country often opt to get milk from local vendors running small cattle farms or stables.
Yet we choose to overlook these factors either because packaged milk is more convenient to purchase or because most of us have grown used to its taste and texture. But these packaged milk and milk products can contain harmful substances like pesticide residue, heavy metals, mycotoxins, hormones and even drugs.
To understand the health risks of contaminated milk, the Onlymyhealth team spoke to Ashwin Bhadri, Founder & CEO, Equinox Labs.
Adulteration Found In Indian Milk And Milk Products
The dairy industry of India is an integral part of the country’s remarkable growth story after Independence. Speaking at the 49th Dairy Industry Conference organised by the Indian Dairy Association, Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs of India mentioned that the dairy and animal husbandry sector accounts for 4.5% of the nation's economy, while the dairy sector alone contributes 24% to the agriculture sector. This contribution, valued at approximately Rs 10 Lakh crore, is the highest in the world.
“Today, India is the largest producer of milk in the world, contributing 23% of global milk production. However, recent inspections by food safety officials in Hyderabad have revealed alarming hygiene violations in local dairy units. A detailed examination uncovered significant lapses in maintaining health and safety standards, highlighting the critical need for stringent regulatory oversight,” said Bhadri.
The most prominent of these concerns is that the milk being sold in India either has dangerous contaminants or is downright synthetic milk made by mixing glucose, urea, refined oil, milk powder and water, and contains chemicals like hydrogen peroxide.
Health Risks Of Contaminated Milk
According to Bhadri, some residues and contaminants generally found in raw milk are pesticides, antibiotics, hormones and heavy metals. “Contaminants from the environment and substances of veterinary use are also a source of indirect pollution,” he added. These contaminants can affect cell proliferation, differentiation and other cellular activities which can potentially contribute to cancer.
According to him, the main reasons why this happens are inadequate milking, processing, storage and transport conditions which increase the chances for pesticides or contaminants to thrive and produce harmful combinations that harm human health.
“Contaminants, pesticide residue, heavy metals, mycotoxins, hormones and drugs administered by producers that are found in milk could lead to various health-related problems,” he warned.
Also Read: #OMHHyperLocal: Mitigating The Impact Of Heavy Metals Found In Vegetables Sold In Delhi Markets
Impact Of Pesticides On Health
“Pesticides are sometimes even found after pasteurisation and ultra-high temperature processing. Their presence, even below the minimum permitted levels, could lead to serious medical conditions,” said Bhadri. He listed:
- Hodgkin’s Disease
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Endocrine Disruption
- Respiratory Disorders
- Reproductive Disorders
Health Risks Of Antibiotics Found In Milk
“Similarly, antibiotics were administered to 80% of dairy cattle. Traces of these antibiotics could end up in milk,” said Bhadri. He listed some side effects of consuming milk contaminated with antibiotics:
- Ototoxicity: This refers to damage to the ear, specifically, the structures involved in hearing and balance, and can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and balance issues.
- Nephrotoxicity: This is damage to the kidneys which can potentially impair kidney function, leading to acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease.
- Endocrine Disruption: This refers to the interference with the normal functioning of the endocrine system, potentially causing reproductive, developmental, and metabolic issues.
- Hypersensitivity: This term describes an exaggerated or inappropriate immune response to a substance that is usually harmless. Hypersensitivity reactions can range from mild (like a rash or itching) to severe (such as anaphylaxis).
How Hormones In Milk Affects Our Health
“Hormones are widely injected into cattle to increase production yields and medical treatments. The oestrogen found in milk has been linked to breast cancer and conditions in the gastrointestinal tract, along with other conditions like acne, prostate cancer, uterine cancer and male reproductive disorders,” said Bhadri.
In a study conducted by the University of Oxford, people who consumed dairy products on a daily were found to be at a significantly greater risk of developing liver and breast cancer. ‘For each 50g/day intake, the risk increased by 12% and 17% respectively,’ found the study.
Health Risks Of Synthetic Milk
“In India, several cases of adulterated milk came to light when harmful components such as paint, chemicals, liquid detergents, and shampoo were found in large quantities,” said Bhadri.
He shared two cases that brought the issue of synthetic milk to light:
- In the year 2019, two brothers who supplied milk to a dairy in Delhi and UP were found to be involved in the illegal manufacturing of synthetic milk. They made billions by selling ‘slow poison’ to their consumers for seven years.
- In 2020, two people were found using banned chemicals to make artificial milk. Synthetic milk units were busted in Madhya Pradesh, which led to a raid by authorities, and they seized 1,000 litres of synthetic milk in Chinnoni village.
Bhadri concluded that milk is currently the most consumed dairy product worldwide. With such a large number of people consuming milk and milk products, it becomes imperative to check the foreign components that get added during the collection and processing of raw milk.
However, hope seems on the horizon. Bhadri shared that such cases, along with the perennial manufacturing of adulterated and synthetic milk which puts human health in danger, have resulted in the apex court suggesting the Union of India revisit the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to revise the punishment for adulteration, making it more deterrent in cases where the adulterant can harm health.