How to check if your milk is pure or fake
After 12 people died from drinking contaminated milk in Rajamahendravaram, several infants were among those who fell ill, Andhra Pradesh's Food Safety Department has rolled out simple ways for everyone to check milk at home.
The move aims to keep families safe and prevent more tragedies.
Guidelines issued after 12 deaths
The new guidelines were announced today by Institute of Preventive Medicine Director Neelakantha Reddy, following the recent deaths linked to ethylene glycol-adulterated milk from Varalakshmi Dairy.
Pamphlets will be distributed in schools, and awareness campaigns will be run in public places and on social media.
Simple tests to check milk
You can test your milk by pouring a few drops on a slanted plate: pure milk leaves a white streak; clear liquid means it could be fake.
Shaking equal parts of milk and water: if you see foam, there might be urea or detergent.
For starch, add a couple of iodine drops; blue color means starch is present.
Ghee can be checked with iodine (blue means starch is present) or by heating it with sugar (pink or red means palm oil is present).
Pure ghee floats on hot water.
Report suspected adulteration
If you suspect adulteration in your dairy products, call 1800 425 3857 or 08645 297245 to report it.
The Food Safety team says they're committed to making sure what's on your table is safe.