The Punjab & Haryana High Court has issued a sharp rebuke to the Punjab government, demanding a detailed response by March 5, 2025, to tackle the rampant sale of adulterated milk and dairy products in the state. This directive follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting shocking levels of contamination in staples like desi ghee and khoya, which pose severe public health risks
Read Also:- Supreme Court Highlights FIR Omission as Critical Evidence Under Section 11 of the Evidence Act
Advocate Sunaina, representing the PIL, presented disturbing data: 21% of desi ghee and 26% of khoya samples in Punjab failed to meet basic safety standards. The court criticized state officials for negligence, accusing them of “turning a blind eye” to a crisis endangering millions
“Officials are ignoring their duty, risking lives for profit. Immediate intervention is non-negotiable.”
— Punjab & Haryana High Court
A World Health Organization (WHO) report cited in the PIL warns that 70% of India’s dairy products fail national safety norms. If unchecked, adulteration could trigger a health catastrophe by 2025, exposing 87% of Indians to cancer and other deadly diseases.
Read Also:- Strong Suspicion Alone Is Not Enough: Supreme Court Acquits Defendant in Murder Case Due to Lack of Evidence
Toxic Adulterants: A Silent Killer
The PIL exposed the use of hazardous chemicals in fake dairy production, including:
Detergents and caustic soda (to mimic froth and texture)
Hydrogen peroxide and white paint (for color)
Vegetable oil and fertilizers (to bulk up products)
These substances are linked to cancer, organ damage, and respiratory disorders, making adulterated dairy a ticking time bomb
Read Also:- Supreme Court: Meticulous Examination Needed in Cases Where FIR Was Against Unknown Persons
Despite India’s status as the world’s largest milk producer, the Ministry of Science and Technology found 89.2% of dairy products adulterated. The court highlighted this paradox, questioning why enforcement remains lax while production scales soar
“How can a leading milk producer have such rampant contamination? Accountability must be enforced.”
— Advocate Sunaina
Government Actions and Challenges
While the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has cracked down—discarding 12,500 liters of tainted milk in Rawalpindi and penalizing vendors—the scale of the problem dwarfs these efforts. Recent raids in Khanewal uncovered 110 liters of adulterated milk and expired items, resulting in fines over Rs. 167,000
Read Also:- SCAORA Submits Recommendations to SC on Guidelines for Advocates-on-Record and Senior Designation Process
However, Opposition leaders in the Punjab Assembly argue enforcement is inadequate, citing only 8 FIRs filed in the past year against violators.
The Punjab & Haryana High Court’s intervention is a critical step toward safeguarding public health. As Advocate Sunaina emphasized, “This isn’t just about milk—it’s about preventing a national health emergency.” The next month will test Punjab’s commitment to eradicating this silent menace.
