Key Update

A joint team of the police and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized 612 bottles of banned Oxytocin injections during a raid at a dairy in Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra. Investigators suspect an interstate network supplied the restricted drug for illegal use in dairy animals.

Raid Uncovers Unlabelled Oxytocin Bottles

Officials conducted the raid on Thursday at the dairy owned by Prakash Wadhwani (64), who owns 55 buffaloes and sells more than 250 litres of milk daily through his outlet in Ulhasnagar. During the inspection, authorities recovered 612 bottles of 100-ml Oxytocin injections. Officials said the bottles did not carry any brand name or manufacturer details.

FDA Warns Against Illegal Use

FDA Inspector Manish Ghotmare said the seizure was significant because Oxytocin is prohibited for routine use in dairy animals. He warned that the illegal administration of the hormone can harm animal health and may also pose risks to consumers who drink milk from treated animals. Investigating Officer Deva Kobarne of the Central Police Station said police are tracing the source of the seized stock and investigating the interstate network suspected of supplying the banned drug.

Why Oxytocin Misuse Is a Concern

Ashok Bhonsle, Assistant Professor at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (COVAS), Udgir, said veterinarians should prescribe Oxytocin only when medically necessary. He noted that some dairy owners illegally procure the hormone to stimulate milk let-down and speed up milk extraction, despite regulations restricting its use.

Source: MSN