Over 68 per cent of milk inIndiadoes not conform to the standards set
by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India as per the govt. in
a statement to Supreme Court.
According to the FSSAI’s 2011
survey, the most common adulterant was found to be the addition of
water, and the main reason for deviation from the standards was addition
of glucose and skimmed milk powder. Addition of water will reduce the
nutritional values and if contaminated can cause health hazards. It also
found that in some samples, detergent was mixed.
A PIL alleged
that synthetic and adulterated milk and milk products are prepared using
urea, detergent, refined oil, caustic soda and white paint which,
according to studies, are “very hazardous” to human life and can cause
serious diseases like cancer.
These adulterants are hazardous and
cause irreversible damage to the organs. As per ICMR detergents in milk
causes food poisoning and gastrointestinal complications. Other
synthetic compounds cause impairments, heart problems, cancer and even
death. The immediate effect of drinking adulterated milk with urea,
caustic soda and formalin is gastroenteritis but the long term effects
are known to be far more serious.
The health answer is to shift to
soya milk, During festive season, especially Diwali as non adulterated
milk is often used to prepare sweets it is impossible to get pure milk
to drink. At least during these days it is safe to shift to soya milk.
Some facts about soya milk
1,
Soy milk (also called soya milk, soymilk, soybean milk, or soy bean
juice and sometimes referred to as soy drink/beverage) is a beverage
made from soybeans.
2. It is produced by soaking dry soybeans and grinding them with water.
3.
Soy milk contains about the same proportion of protein as cow’s milk:
around 3.5%; also 2% fat, 2.9% carbohydrate, and 0.5% ash.
4. Soy milk can be made at home.
4. The coagulated protein from soy milk can be made into tofu, just as dairy milk can be made into cheese.
5.
The American Academy of Pediatric sconsiders soy milk a suitable
alternative for children who cannot tolerate human or cow’s milk, or
whose parents opt for a vegan diet.
6. It is associated with a reduction in low-density lipoprotein (“bad cholesterol”) and triglycerides.
7. It is good for women undergoing menopause.
8. Soy affects bone mineral density.
9. Gout sufferers limit consumption of soy products.
10. It is good for the health of the thyroid gland.
