Overview

Milma is investigating complaints about a strong, unpleasant odor in its packaged milk across the Kasaragod district. Some consumers have likened the smell to kerosene. The issue surfaced after the Mavungal dairy, located near Kanhangad, distributed milk on Saturday. Complaints continued until Monday, with consumers reporting a strange smell when boiling it and an odd taste in tea.

Consumers Voice Concerns

Consumers from areas including Kanhangad, Nileshwar, Periya, Mavungal, Odayanchal, Pallikkara, and Padna returned their milk packets to stores, sparking tense exchanges with shopkeepers. One concerned customer, Damodaran, a bus conductor from Anandashram, shared his experience. He had purchased four packets to make payasam for his wedding anniversary but ended up discarding them after noticing a strong, kerosene-like smell. “My daughter took a sip and immediately found something wrong. My wife and I noticed it, too. Even our cat refused to drink it,” Damodaran said.

Milma Takes Immediate Action

Milma recalled the affected batch of milk, which consisted of 10,000 half-litre packets. So far, 5,000 packets have been returned, but some may include milk from earlier batches. In response to the complaints, Milma conducted tests using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy at a Kannur lab to detect any possible contamination. However, the tests showed no anomalies, and Milma confirmed that no foreign substances were mixed with the milk.

Possible Odor Absorption During Transportation

Kasaragod Dairy Quality Controller Vinoj stated that initial findings suggest the milk absorbed the odor from nearby substances during transportation. Milk can absorb strong smells, particularly those with an oily nature, and this may have been the cause of the problem. The Mavungal dairy sources milk from Kasaragod, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

Milma Stands by Quality Checks

Dairy Manager Mathew Varghese reassured consumers, stating that all milk undergoes strict quality checks before packaging. “We tested the samples in Milma’s lab and found no issues. Our laboratories maintain higher standards than even the Food Safety Department’s facilities. To be thorough, we may send samples to labs in Kochi or Mysuru for further verification. An investigation is ongoing, and we will take necessary steps to prevent future incidents,” Varghese added. The Mavungal dairy produces around 55,000 litres of milk daily, and the investigation continues to uncover the cause of the contamination. Milma remains committed to ensuring that future deliveries meet the highest standards of quality.

Source: Manorma.com