Detection of adulterants and preservative added to incoming fluid milk from rural to chittagong metropolitan area

Abstract

To detect the type of adulterants and preservatives added to the incoming fluid milk from rural to Chittagong metropolitan areas we conducted a survey from July to December, 2009. Milk samples were collected at six entry points namely, Karnafuli Bridge, Bahadarhat, Janalirhat, Solasahar, Potenga and City gate to Chittagong metropolitan areas. In total, 72 samples were analyzed, having collected 12 from each of the said points with a sampling frequency of four per month. To detect the kinds of adulterants and added water we followed the methods recommended by the Indian Standard Institute (1960) and FAO (1984), respectively. The results revealed that water was added to the collected milk samples, probably by middlemen and concentrations of some milk samples were increased by adding powder milk. Presence of formalin was detected in 75% of the samples collected at Bahaddarhat in July, and 50% in September at Karnafuli Bridge. In conclusion, all the samples, irrespective of sampling areas were below the normal standard.