Antibiotics, pesticides in AP milk

A study conducted by a group of city-based researchers in food science and technology has found antibiotics, aflatoxin fungus, pesticide residues and industrial contaminants in milk samples collected from dairy farmers and bulk chilling centres across Vizag, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, East and West Godavari districts.

The residue of pesticides like lindane, endosulfan, chlorane, heptachlor and methoxchlor and heavy metals like lead, arsenic, zinc and mercury were found in the raw and chilled milk samples that were collected by the researchers from the department of microbiology and food science & technology, Institute of Science, GITAM University.

The study was published in the US-based international journal Scientific Research Publishing.

Cattle suffering from mastitis (udder infection) are treated with antibiotic infused into the udder through the teats. As per norms, once the animal is treated with antibiotics the milk should not be used for four days after the animal is cured as the antibiotic residue can be in the milk.

Antibiotics are a serious health hazard. Evidence indicates that consumption of milk containing antibiotics is harmful as it may result in development of drug resistant pathogens, and may also result in allergic reactions.

Penicillin-G was found in 4 per cent of milk samples in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, East Godavari, and West Godavari and in vendor’s milk samples and in two per cent of samples in Srikakulam. Tetracycline was found in two per cent of samples in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, East and West Godavari districts and in 6 per cent of samples of vendors’ milk.