A Special Task Force (STF) of the Madhya Pradesh Police conducted a raid on July 19 and arrested 62 people from three factories on allegedly producing and supplying “highly toxic synthetic milk”.  The three synthetic milk factories were raided in Amba in Morena district and Lahar in Bhind district of the Gwalior-Chambal region.

The factories were supplying harmful milk to branded milk units in six states –   Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.

The Superintendent of Police, STF, Rajesh Bhadoria, told PTI that the teams seized “10,000 litres of spurious milk, 500 kg of spurious ‘Mawa’ and 200 kg synthetic cottage cheese”.  

Bhadoria added that a total of 20 tankers and 11 pick-up vans containing the spurious products were seized. “Also, liquid detergent, refined oil and glucose power were seized in large quantities from these units,” he said. 

The report revealed that in every one litre of contaminated milk manufactured at three units, over 30 percent milk was a mixture of refined oil, liquid detergent, white paint and glucose powder. The milk was produced at Rs 5 per litre and was sold at Rs 45-50 per litre. 

In the case of the preparation and supply of cottage cheese to the northern, central and western parts of India, a similar method was used. It was supplied at a price between Rs 100-Rs 150 per kg. 

The factories were producing synthetic milk with a substantial amount of preservatives and chemicals 24*7 and produced 2 lakh litres of milk every day. The police have also reportedly charged those supplying raw products to these factories.

The STF carried out raids at several other units but found them locked. Some food inspectors were also reportedly involved with the milk-producing units. They will soon be identified, and action will be taken against them, the Special Task Force told PTI.

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