In a survey conducted by the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), 54% of loose milk samples in Punjab have been declared unfit for human consumption.
Furthermore, 92% of loose milk samples failed to meet the quality and safety standards. This data was shared during an event held at a local hotel on Tuesday.
Compliance with regulatory limits was assessed across five quality and safety parameters. It includes composition, adulteration, antibiotic residues, aflatoxin M1, and heavy metals. Unfortunately, loose milk largely failed to meet these standards.
The survey was carried out by Nielsen, a top multinational research agency, in 11 major cities of the country. It is worth mentioning that there is no nationally representative data on the safety and quality of loose milk in Pakistan. This survey was aimed at compiling and providing that data.
A research report was prepared after examining 1,206 loose milk samples. An Associate Professor of the UVAS, Dr Azmat Ullah Khan from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, presented the findings of the report in a special health seminar.
The seminar was attended by UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nasim Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor, University of Education, Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha and president of the Pakistan Medical Association, Prof. Dr. Ashraf Nizami.
Pakistan is ranked at fourth among the largest milk-producing countries in the world. According to statistics, 95% of the milk consumed across the country is loose milk.
Source: Pro Pakistani