Milk refers to a nutrient-rich liquid that often serves as a primary source of nutrition for newborns and for adults it’s a part of a balanced diet. It is made up of water and also contains proteins like casein and whey, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
Nutritional value of milk
As per experts, whole milk contains around 150 calories, 8 gms protein, 8 gms fat, 12 gms carbs, 300 mg calcium, 2.5 mg vitamin D, 1.2 mcg vitamin B12, 0.4 mg Riboflavin B2, and around 400 mg potassium.
What is Milk Adulteration?
Adulteration of milk refers to the process in which the quality of milk is degenerated by adding chemical substitutes or any other ingredients of inferior quality. It is found that milk is commonly adulterated with water, detergents, starch, udea, synthetic milk, formalin, colouring agents. and even sweeteners.
Why do people practice milk adulteration?
As per experts, this helps increase the profit margins for sellers as the quantity of real milk becomes low. This also leads to a severe decline in the nutritional profile of the milk and can lead to a lot of bodily changes.
Side effects of adulterated milk
As per health experts, adulterated milk poses various health risks due to the harmful substances added to it. It is said that it can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting due to contaminants like detergents and synthetic substances. Also, use of adulterants like urea and formalin can strain the kidneys and lead to long-term damage or dysfunction. In some people, it can lead to allergic reactions due to certain adulterants, resulting in skin rashes, itching, or respiratory issues. If experts are to be believed, use of formalin can lead to severe health problems, including liver damage and even death with prolonged exposure. Some adulterants may disrupt hormonal balance in the body, leading to various health issues. And lastly, long-term consumption of adulterated milk may increase the risk of chronic conditions like kidney disease and cancers.
How to check the purity of milk at home?
As per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), there are simple and easy ways that one can use at home to check purity of milk at home. Take a look at some of the simple and easy methods.
Starch adulteration test
For this test, boil 2-3 ml of milk and let it cool down. Add 2-3 drops of iodine solution to the milk. If the milk is pure, colour will remain unchanged or will turn slightly yellowish and if it turns blue, then it is adulterated with starch.
Detergent adulteration test
For this test, take 5 ml of milk in a transparent glass and add an equal amount of water. Shake it well. Pure milk will have no lather or minimal lather formation, whole milk adulterated with detergent will have persistent lather or froth forms.
Urea adulteration test
For this test, take 5 ml of milk in a test tube. Add an equal amount of soybean or arhar powder to it. Shake well and let it sit for 5 minutes. Dip a red litmus paper in it. If the red litmus paper remains red, milk is pure, and if it turns blue, milk is adulterated with urea.
Presence of formalin
Take 10 ml of milk in a test tube, add 2-3 drops of concentrated sulphuric acid along the sides of the test tube without shaking. If the colour of milk doesn’t change, the milk is pure and if violet or blue rings are formed, the milk is adulterated with formalin.
Synthetic milk test
Add 5 ml of milk and 5 ml of water in a test tube. Shake it well. If it doesn’t form a stable lather, the milk is pure, and if it forms a persistent froth, then it is adulterated with synthetic detergents.
Water adulteration test
For this test, take a drop of milk on a polished and slanting surface. If the drop remains in place or flows slowly, leaving a white trail behind, the milk is pure. And if it drops quickly without a trail, then the milk is adulterated with water.
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