THERE IS a lot of hue and cry against the widespread menace of synthetic milk in the city and elsewhere. I will come to that later. What is still more disturbing is the report that in view of the stoppage of milk supply to the dairies in Delhi and elsewhere, the rural milk suppliers, who protested against the low price for which the vital commodity was purchased from them and thereafter sold at double the price.

They have now opened their own outlets in Delhi and are supplying milk at a price which is very low compared to what the main dairies are charging. With no supply of milk, how are the dairies still supplying pouched milk to their customers? The milk producers say that the supply being made through these dairies is much more than the total quantity produced in the region. Then from where are they getting extra milk?

The dairies have been quoted as saying that they have been using their milk stocks. But the milk producers say that what they are supplying is milk made from expired milk powder. This is stale milk. While I was listening to this presentation by a TV anchor I was wondering as to how our local dairies procuring the milk that is being sold to us.

If the milk is stale, and khova is made from this milk of expiry date, what effect could that have on our health, badly affected as many of us are by the allergic disorders caused by the dust flying from the half-repaired dug up roads in the city?

This apart, the supply of milk made from milk powder of expiry date is being used by lakhs of people to feed their children and also utilize the same for tea, coffee, kheer and other delicious dishes, which are made in almost every household, especially during the winter months.

Should we stop making those savories at home as well? I am quite sure, if the health department goes round from house to house taking samples of milk products made at home, they are bound to find something alarming. Even assuming that the milk supplied is pure, what could be the adverse effect on users, especially children, if this milk is a stale product?

We should not forget that these days in houses having modern and fashionable young mothers, there is no breast-feeding, especially by those who are interested more in maintaining their good figure than the good health of the infant, which should normally receive greater attention than personal needs. If babies are served milk bottles, the pouched supply made from stale milk powder, what would be the result? Some people could say: may be our systems have now got so used to consuming adulterated stuff that our immunity has been strengthened. But that would be a dangerous conclusion.