Unsafe pasteurised milk: Govt needs to act

A recent study carried out by icddr,b scientists revealed that 75 per cent of all pasteurised milk available on the local market are highly contaminated with bacteria. 

The finding of the study, published in US-based International Journal of Food Microbiology, is a matter of grave concern. Pasteurised milk is supposed to be free of contamination.

The icddr,b terms the finding disturbing, but we believe the situation is far more alarming. Because, many in the country, especially the youths, drink milk available in packets without boiling.

A report published in the Prothom Alo on Thursday said the icddr,b scientists collected 438 samples from 18 upazilas (sub-district) of seven districts for this study. As many as 387 of them were collected from farmers.

The scientists learnt that the milk was contaminated by the same bacteria that is found in cow dung, meaning the people milking the cows had little knowledge about cleanliness. However, the milk sold in the villages is mostly consumed after boiling, which almost kills the germs.

But the problem remains with pasteurised packaged milk, which is produced and marketed commercially. In the developed countries packaged milk can be consumed directly and they do not need boiling. However, in our country the scientists are now advocating for consuming packaged milk after boiling because there is no certainty that they are free of contamination.  

From pasteurisation to reaching the consumers, the whole process needs further evaluation to determine where things are going wrong. Milk no matter from which source it is collected, is supposed to be free of contamination once pasteurisation is done.

But are the authorities taking any steps? We hope the ministry concerned will look into the matter and act at the earliest considering the gravity of the issue. To be on the safe side, everyone should drink milk after boiling it in 100 degree Celsius, even if that is packaged.