Four people have died and at least 10 others are critically ill in Andhra Pradesh’s Rajamahendravaram after allegedly consuming adulterated milk. Authorities have detained a milk vendor, launched a probe and announced compensation as the community reels from the tragedy.
At least four individuals predominantly elderly residents have died in the last 48 hours in Rajamahendravaram, East Godavari district, after consuming milk suspected to be adulterated, officials said.
The victims, identified as Bhagisetti Kanaka Ratnam (76), Tadi Krishnaveni (75), BN Seshagirirao (72), and Radhakrishnamurthy (74), developed severe symptoms of vomiting, abdominal pain and sudden kidney complications, including anuria (failure of the kidneys to produce urine), following ingestion of daily-supplied milk.
Health teams report that at least 10 others are hospitalised, with nine in intensive care units and two on ventilator support, many undergoing dialysis amid elevated levels of urea and serum creatinine biomarkers indicating acute renal distress. Among the hospitalised are vulnerable individuals, including a three-year-old child and a five-month-old infant in critical condition.
Initial investigations indicate that all affected families received milk from a single local supplier, identified as Addala Ganeshwar Rao, who operated a dairy unit named Varalakshmi Milk Dairy in Narsapuram village of Korukonda mandal.
Police have taken Rao into custody and sealed the dairy, registering a formal case as forensic tests are underway to confirm chemical adulteration or contamination.
Health and Administrative Response
Reacting to the unfolding crisis, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu termed the incident “extremely painful” and announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹10 lakh to each of the four bereaved families, while the state government pledged to cover all medical expenses for victims receiving treatment in various hospitals.
Through a review meeting with senior officials, including health, food safety and police authorities, the Chief Minister emphasised swift and stringent action once test results confirm the nature of contamination.
District Collector Keerthi Chekuri and Superintendent of Police D Narasimha Kishore have been overseeing the emergency response on the ground, coordinating rapid response teams that have screened nearly 957 residents across 649 households in affected localities such as Chowdeswari Colony and Swaroopnagar.
Officials have collected a wide range of samples including milk, blood, urine, water and even animal feed which have been dispatched to laboratories in Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam for detailed analysis.
In the state Legislative Assembly, Health Minister Y Sathya Kumar Yadav emphasised the gravity of the situation and assured uninterrupted medical care for all victims. He outlined the deployment of inter-departmental teams comprising specialists in general medicine, paediatrics, microbiology and epidemiology to manage ongoing treatment and surveillance activities.
Public awareness campaigns were also launched in affected communities to educate residents about safe milk consumption and early symptom reporting.
Community Impact, Food Safety Concerns and Political Reactions
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community, as residents grapple with the sudden loss of loved ones and the ongoing health crisis. Medical professionals noted that victims initially experienced gastro-intestinal symptoms that escalated rapidly to acute kidney failure, a pattern consistent with toxic exposure, though official confirmation awaits laboratory results.
Political figures across the spectrum have weighed in on the crisis. YSR Congress Party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed deep grief, condemned perceived lapses in food safety oversight and urged immediate corrective action to prevent similar tragedies.
He also called on the government to ensure top-tier medical care for the critically ill and to strengthen regulatory enforcement to rebuild public trust in essential commodities like milk.
Meanwhile, authorities have urged calm, emphasising that ongoing laboratory investigations will establish whether the milk was artificially adulterated with toxic substances or contaminated through other means. Food Safety officials have reiterated that the focus remains on uncovering the root cause, while ensuring no further health deterioration among those exposed.
Understanding Milk Adulteration
Food adulteration remains a persistent public health challenge in India, with dairy products especially those supplied by unregulated sources historically vulnerable to contamination through dilution, addition of harmful chemicals, or unsanitary handling.
Though definitive laboratory results are pending in this case, the suspected outbreak in Rajamahendravaram highlights how quickly adulterated foodstuffs can escalate into life-threatening emergencies, particularly among elderly individuals and young children, whose immune systems are more susceptible to toxins and infection.
Experts stress the critical need for robust food safety mechanisms, regular monitoring of dairy supply chains and stricter licensing protocols for vendors, alongside public education about recognising and reporting suspicious food products.
In addition, health authorities recommend that consumers prioritise milk from licensed and quality-certified sources, especially in regions where regulatory enforcement may be inconsistent.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
As Rajamahendravaram mourns four lives lost and prays for the recovery of those hospitalised, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of lapses in food safety.
Beyond legal action against those found culpable, there is an urgent need to strengthen risk assessment, supply chain oversight and community awareness to protect citizens from preventable harm.
At a time of grief and uncertainty, communities must also come together in empathy and constructive dialogue, encouraging not only accountability but also collective learning and reform.
