Forensic probe concludes adulteration of milk with ethylene glycol, says East Godavari Collector Kirthi Chekuri

Adulteration of milk with ‘ethylene glycol’, a highly toxic liquid used in the dairy sector as a coolant to prevent freezing and maintain the temperature of milk in the freeze, is the reason behind the death of 10 consumers so far due to acute renal failure and hospitalisation of 10 others, including three infants, in February this year in Rajamahendravaram city, according to East Godavari district Collector Kirthi Chekuri.

Quoting the report released by the Regional Forensic Laboratory in Vijayawada, Ms. Kirthi said, “The forensic probe has concluded adulteration of milk with ethylene glycol.”

Blood samples of the survivors and the deceased, and milk samples from the dairy in question were tested as part of the forensic probe, she said in a release.

The milk vendor, Addala Ganeswara Rao, of Narsapuram village in Kurukonda Mandal in East Godavari district, had allegedly supplied adulterated milk to 110 customers across Rajamahendravaram city on February 15 and 16.

The authorities began questioning the vendor after Thadi Krishna Veni (76), who had consumed the milk on February 16, died of acute renal failure in the Government General Hospital, Kakinada, on February 22. Later, consumption of the milk supplied by the vendor was linked to acute renal failure among 20 consumers.

“Ethylene glycol first leaked from the freezer. Later, it got mixed with the milk due to leakage from the milk container, leading to adulteration. Ethylene glycol is soluble in water and milk,” the Collector said.

On February 16, the vendor, upon receiving complaints from the consumers about change in colour and odour of the milk, got both the freezer and the container repaired in Rajamahendravaram city. The vendor directly sourced the milk from 46 dairy farmers and supplied it to 110 families.

“As many as five reports of samples tested by various agencies, including the Regional Forensic Laboratory, Vijayawada, have concluded that the milk has been adulterated with ethylene glycol,” said Ms. Kirthi. Nine cases were registered against the vendor.

As per a release issued by Kovvur Deputy Superintendent of Police G. Deva Kumar, the vendor was booked under BNS Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and Section 103 (punishment for murder, including death or life imprisonment). The accused is now on remand in Rajamahendravaram Central Prison.