Milk Adulteration Ring Busted in AP

The incident in Rajamahendravaram has resulted in a tragic loss of life, with the death toll rising to five, including a six-year-old boy. Over a dozen others were hospitalized, many suffering from acute renal failure and anuria, a near-total cessation of urine output. The alleged source of the contaminated milk was the unauthorized Varalakshmi Dairy, operated by Addala Ganeswara Rao. Rao was reportedly supplying milk to 106 households in the Chowdeshwari Nagar and Swaroop Nagar areas of the city before being taken into custody. Preliminary investigations suggest a coolant leak at the dairy may be to blame. Officials believe ethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in the refrigeration unit, may have contaminated the milk supply, leading to the severe kidney complications observed in the victims. Blood samples from those affected showed abnormally high levels of urea and creatinine. In response to the deaths, the Andhra Pradesh government has announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹10 lakh to the families of each of the deceased. Authorities have sealed the dairy and sent collected milk and food samples to laboratories in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam for detailed analysis. The tragedy has triggered a statewide crackdown on milk safety. Food safety officials have launched a special drive, conducting surprise inspections of milk vendors across multiple districts, collecting nearly 150 samples, and using rapid "Magic Kits" to perform on-the-spot quality tests. Milk adulteration is a persistent issue across India, driven by gaps between supply and demand. Common adulterants include not just water, but also detergents, urea, starch, and formalin, which are added to increase volume, thickness, and shelf-life but can lead to severe health issues like gastrointestinal complications, kidney failure, and even cancer. Under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSAI), penalties for selling adulterated food can be severe. If an adulterant causes grievous harm or death, the punishment can extend to life imprisonment and significant fines. The FSSAI frequently directs states to conduct enforcement drives to curb the sale of unsafe dairy products.