Key Update

A major food adulteration scandal has come to light in Boko town, Kamrup district, Assam, where several local tea stalls and hotels allegedly served synthetic, chemical-laced milk for years. The revelation was made by a vigilant student organisation, which uncovered evidence that customers were consuming a powder-based substitute posing as genuine milk.

How It Happened

Investigations revealed that two men from the Chamaria riverine region supplied the fake Chemical-Laced milk to eateries across Boko for the past three years. Priced at ₹25–30 per litre, the adulterated product was nearly half the cost of genuine milk, allowing hotel owners to boost profits. Insiders claim the hotel operators were fully aware of the substitution.

When questioned by residents and student leaders, the suppliers reportedly admitted selling the synthetic product as milk. Hotel owners, however, denied wrongdoing, asserting that lactometer tests ensure milk purity. Experts warned that such tests cannot detect synthetic additives, raising serious food safety concerns. Inspections of associated sweet-making units revealed unhygienic practices, including open containers swarming with flies, unclean utensils, and workers handling food without protective gear.

Public Outcry and Demands

Local civic groups and residents have demanded a thorough investigation and immediate administrative action. They expressed fears over long-term health risks, including digestive problems and potential cancer hazards, urging authorities to impose strict penalties on the culprits. The Boko milk scandal highlights the dangers of food adulteration and underscores the urgent need for stringent monitoring of food safety practices in eateries and sweet shops.

Source: India Today NE, The Sentinel