The High Court’s tough stance on the raging controversy over the purity of milk from certain brands of the country is indeed laudable and it is expected that the court will deliver such rule to ensure milk producing companies are forced to packet milk safe for human consumption.

The storm over adulterated packet milks arose when Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institutions (BSTIs) declared milk of country’s notable companies did not contain any harmful things. But the examination conducted at the laboratory of Pharmacy Department of Dhaka University found lead in milk of almost all brands.

Contradictory lab test results created a lot of confusion in the mind of public as to whose results they would take it for true, Pharmacy lab of Dhaka University or BSTI, the national watchdog to ensure safe consumer’s products. As each of these stood for their findings it became all the more difficult for the public to decide whether it is safe to consume milk produced by branded companies.

Another twist to the milk imbroglio occurred Tuesday when Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) in its investigation detected lead in 11 brands of pasteurised milk out of 14 approved by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI). BFSA found milk of Milk Vita, Dairy Fresh, Igloo, Farm Fresh, Aftab milk, Ultra milk, Arong Dairy, Pran milk, Ayran, Pura and Safe containing lead.  Following submission of the report findings to the High Court, the bench of judges dealing with milk case urged the BFSA to answer to the court, by July 28, on what action it has taken against adulteration of milk, curd and cattle feed. The court also directed the government to ensure that antibiotics are not given to cattle without the prescriptions of veterinary doctors.

We expected authorities concerned would satisfy the court by taking stern action so that milk that is marketed is safe for consumption. Even a couple of decades ago milk consumers’ worry was about whether the farmer or milk seller added water to their milk and the cheating did not harm the health of consumers. But now the scenario has totally changed: milk is reported to be artificially produced by materials including chalk powder and washing detergent. Cow’s milk is now laced with antibiotics and other heavy metals.

Branded and non branded milk producing firms must come out from gambling with public health while take full responsibility for producing pure unadulterated milk.