Toxic additives in milk raise alarm over public health risks

Concerns are mounting over the potential health risks posed by toxic additives found in milk sold in Nepal. While milk is widely consumed as a source of nutrition, recent findings suggest that some dairy operators and collectors are compromising public health by adulterating the product.

Investigations by government agencies and laboratory tests have revealed the presence of "slow poison" in milk, allegedly used by some operators to prolong shelf life and maximize profits. In a significant discovery on May 14, the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control inspected a dairy industry in Bhaktapur. Officials seized large quantities of dextrose monohydrate, maltodextrin, and bakery shortening, substances reportedly used to create counterfeit milk.

Authorities found that the dairy was supplying this adulterated milk to both the state-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) and the open market. Further investigations by the DDC in early June detected serious irregularities in milk collected from Kavrepalanchok. The corporation destroyed over 3,000 liters of milk found unfit for consumption due to added sugar, an abnormal odor, and failure to meet quality standards.

Following widespread complaints about declining milk quality and public trust, the DDC has intensified its monitoring of milk collection and distribution processes. Similar issues have been reported in Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, where milk from several vendors was found to contain adulterants and fail quality standards. Authorities suspect potential collusion by DDC employees in the procurement process, highlighting a systemic issue within the dairy supply chain.