Detergent in milk in Pabna, Proven in Lab Test

Samples of 'detergent' powder for washing clothes have been found in milk in Pabna. The existence of detergent in milk was found in the lab test of the Food Safety Authority. This news has created panic among the people. The Food Safety Authority has submitted a report to the Pabna District Administration in this regard.

On Monday afternoon, Pabna Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md. Jahangir Alam confirmed the matter to journalists.

On Monday, the Food Safety Authority's Pabna officer-in-charge Md. Mofazzal Hossain told journalists that on December 4, milk samples of Faruk Dairy Farm, Ali Mariam Milk, HNM Dairy, Faruk Dairy, Araf Dairy Farm and Bhai Bhai Dairy Farm were collected from Library Bazar in Pabna city and sent to the Food Safety Authority's laboratory for testing.

Laboratory tests have found the presence of detergent in milk collected from Faruk Dairy Farm in Baikhola, Atgharia Upazila, Pabna. Apart from this, nothing harmful was found in the milk of several other establishments.

The lab test report was submitted to Pabna Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md. Jahangir Alam on December 18.

A source said that Faruk Dairy Farm in Baikhola, Atgharia Upazila, Pabna supplies milk to various places in the country, including Savar Military Farm, and to large establishments.

Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Pabna District Branch General Secretary SM Mahbub Alam said that these large establishments do not produce milk themselves but collect low-quality milk from different places and market it.

Moreover, they are also involved in making adulterated milk. As a result, samples of detergent powder were found in the milk in the laboratory test.

Professor BM Shafiqul Hasan Jewel, head of the Department of Medicine at Pabna Medical College Hospital, said that drinking milk mixed with detergent can seriously damage the liver and stomach of a person. In addition, diarrhea, dysentery and other stomach ailments and various diseases can occur.

Pabna District Livestock Office Training Officer Dr. Krishna Mohar Halder admitted the truth of the incident and said that after learning about the matter, the Faruk Dairy authorities were verbally warned.

Safe Food Authority Pabna's in-charge officer Md. Mofazzal Hossain admitted the truth of the incident and said that after collecting the samples, the district administration was informed to take action immediately after the samples of detergent were found in the laboratory test.

Safe Food Authority Rajshahi office lab technician Md. Sagar Ali said, I myself tested and found the presence of laundry detergent in the milk.

In this regard, Md. Sirajul Islam Faruk said, this should not happen. They are very careful about these matters.

He said, they have their own farm in Baikhola village, where there are more than a hundred dairy cows. Besides, they collect 8 to 10 thousand liters of milk from outside every day.

He also said, his company supplies 12 to 13 thousand liters of milk to Savar Military Farm every day. Besides, an average of 19 to 20 thousand liters of milk is supplied to different places and large institutions of the country every day. They have never made any complaint.

Pabna Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md. Jahangir Alam confirmed the truth of the incident and said that after learning about the matter, he has ordered the Consumer Rights and Food Safety Officers to call the concerned company to find out why the detergent came in the milk. If they do not get a proper answer, legal action will be taken.