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The Duplicity of Milk: Unraveling the Distribution and Production of Duplicate Milk and its Impact on Public Health

Milk is a staple food for many people around the world. It is a good source of protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients. However, there is a growing problem of duplicate milk, which is milk that has been adulterated with water, detergent, or other harmful substances.


Duplicate milk is a serious threat to public health. It can cause a variety of health problems, including foodborne illness, malnutrition, and chronic health conditions. For example, duplicate milk may contain harmful bacteria that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and other illnesses. It may also be lacking in essential nutrients, which can lead to malnutrition. And, over time, consumption of duplicate milk can increase the risk of chronic health conditions such as cancer, kidney disease, and liver damage.

Distribution Channels for Duplicate Milk

Duplicate milk can find its way into our homes through a variety of channels, including:

  • Adulteration by Milk Vendors: Unscrupulous milk vendors may adulterate milk with water or other substances to increase the volume and profits.
  • Dishonest Dairies: Some dairies may dilute the milk they collect from farmers with water or other adulterants.
  • Inadvertent Involvement of Supermarkets and Retailers: Even well-established supermarkets and retailers can unwittingly become part of the distribution chain for duplicate milk if their quality control systems are not rigorous.
  • False Claims of Farm Freshness: Some deceptive entities may label their products as "farm-fresh" or "direct from the farm" to mislead consumers into believing they source their milk from farmers. In reality, the milk may be heavily adulterated or of low quality.
  • Illicit Milk Factories: In more sinister cases, illicit milk factories engage in large-scale production of duplicate milk. These factories may mix low-quality or adulterated milk with genuine milk or use harmful substances to enhance the milk's volume.

Duplicate Milk Fraud Across Indian Cities

Duplicate milk fraud is not limited to specific cities in India. Instead, it is a nationwide concern, with reports and incidents occurring in numerous urban areas. The issue is more prevalent in densely populated cities, where the demand for milk and dairy products is high, and where a large consumer base provides deceptive entities with opportunities to maximize their profits through unscrupulous practices.

According to a 2020 study by the Consumer Guidance Society of India, 79% of the milk available in Maharashtra is adulterated. A 2018 study conducted by the Animal Welfare Board found that 68.7% of the milk and milk byproduct production in India was laced with polluting ingredients. In 2021, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) seized over 10,000 liters of duplicate milk from various parts of the city. In 2022, the GHMC arrested several people for selling duplicate milk. The arrested individuals were found to be mixing water and detergent with milk to increase the volume and profits.

Impact of Duplicate Milk on Public Health

The impact of duplicate milk on public health is significant. Consumption of duplicate milk can cause a variety of health problems, including:

  • Foodborne illnesses: Adulterated milk can be contaminated with harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can cause food poisoning.
  • Malnutrition: Duplicate milk may not contain the essential nutrients that are present in pure milk, which can lead to malnutrition.
  • Chronic health conditions: Consumption of adulterated milk over time can increase the risk of chronic health conditions such as cancer, kidney disease, and liver damage.

What Can Consumers Do?

Consumers can take steps to protect themselves from duplicate milk fraud by:

  • Buying milk from trusted sources, such as well-known dairies and supermarkets with good reputations.
  • Checking the expiry date of the milk before buying it.
  • Inspecting the milk for any signs of adulteration, such as a watery consistency, a strange smell, or a bluish tinge.
  • Reporting any suspected cases of duplicate milk to the authorities.

What Can Governments and the Food Industry Do?

Governments and the food industry also have a role to play in combating duplicate milk fraud. Governments can enforce food safety standards and conduct regular inspections of dairies and other facilities that produce and sell milk. The food industry can implement rigorous quality control systems and invest in technology to detect adulteration.

By working together, we can create a world where everyone has access to safe and pure milk

It is important to note that the sale of duplicate milk is a crime. In India, the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006,

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