Barnala DM bans making of cheese, khoya; ‘will curb adulterated milk sale’
SANGRUR/BARNALA : In a bizarre decision, the Barnala district administration has banned manufacture of milk products like cheese and khoa suspecting ‘adulteration’ in milk. Traders have decried the move, saying that the order could mean shortage of these products.
In his orders, district magistrate Dharam Pal Gupta said, “Summers see shortage of milk, but traders continue to produce cheese and khoa during this season. However, the demand for milk increases, which also increases chances of the supply of adulterated milk.”
“The manufacturing of these products lead to shortage of milk supply and the possibility of the sale of adulterated milk remains high in these days. To cut the supply of adulterated milk which causes different types of diseases, I have ordered to stop the manufacturing of such products in Barnala district,” Gupta adds.
“The ban will remain in force till July 10 and the senior superintendent of police (SSP Barnala) will be responsible for the imposition of these orders,” he added.
‘NOT THE APPROPRIATE SOLUTION’
Meanwhile, sweets shop owners and dairy owners opposed the decision and claimed that the imposition of ban on preparation of cheese and khoa from milk is not the appropriate solution for milk adulteration.
Kuldeep Sood, president district Halwai union, said, “Khoa and cheese cannot be prepared from adulterated milk rather the ban will create shortage of these products in the market. The union will fight against the decision.”
Naresh Singla, dairy owner, said that they were in the milk business from last 30 years and the ban may not necessarily cut the supply of adulterated milk, but surely affect their business. To this, the DM said, “The ban was necessary, but the administration will try to maintain the availability of these products in the market.”
SANGRUR HEALTH DEPT COLLECTS MILK SAMPLES
The district health department collected samples of milk, cheese, ice cream and seized 300kg Banaspati Ghee and a bag of skimmed milk powder from a Bhawanigarh firm, on Tuesday. Sangrur assistant commissioner Ravinder Garg said that the samples will be sent to Chandigarh under the Food Safety and Standards Act.