TAD NewsDesk, New Delhi: Amul has stood against firms selling dubious products with no authenticity in the name of milk. It has pointed out the products of almond, soybean milk, rich beverages and oats to name a few. The company is even ready to go to court in order to put a halt to this unauthentic practice.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in the month of August had issued a draft notification wherein they had proposed to prevent the use of the word ‘milk’ for such products.
R S Sodhi, managing director of Amul pointed out that many Indian and even foreign origin companies are selling plant based beverages as milk which is clearly against the regulations.
He said,
“Ten crore dairy farmers for whom milk is an instrument of socio-economic development are getting to fight this misinformation campaign done by some companies and NGOs where they are selling chemically fortified beverages manufactured in factories and calling it milk. There are no clinical trials or scientific studies to prove that they are better than milk.”
Moreover, regarding reaching out to the FSSAI, he added,
“We have requested the FSSAI to instruct these product manufacturers and importers to remove the word ‘milk’ from the labelling and also refrain from using this dairy term in any communication because it is in violation of the prevailing regulations.”
FSSAI CEO, Arun Singhal also responded to this pressing concern, he said: “FSSAI is deliberating the issues with industry representatives and analyzing the comments they have received.” The FSSAI would take around 2 months time to reach a conclusion on the matter. There would be a scientific panel whose recommendation would be sent to the health ministry, he added.
The dairy sector is one of the significant and emergent sectors of the country. It contributes 2 per cent to the gross domestic product of the country valued at Rs 8 lakh crore. Mr Sodhi added, “The emergence of vegan and plant-based milk substitutes is a chance for global companies to take advantage of the Indian dairy industry.”
Source: Krishi Jagran
