20 externed for milk adulteration Action against people supplying spurious milk products taken to make Diwali safer

The city police have externed at least 20 people involved in supplying spurious milk and milk products ahead of Diwali. The police will take similar action against a dozen others in the next couple of days. Earlier, such offenders were let off with minor punishments.
The action was taken on a priority basis as the supply of milk and milk products reach its zenith during the festive season, especially during Diwali. "Adulterated milk and its products are dangerous as it directly affects the health of its consumer. The externment of such people will send a strong signal to the others indulging in similar practices. They cannot go on playing with the health and life of innocent citizens," said Deputy Commissioner of Police Pratap Dighavkar.
According to health experts, consumption of spurious milk and its products causes food poisoning, vomiting, loose motions, and fever apart from other health problems. Infants and children who are heavily dependent on milk are vulnerable to it, experts claim.
According to the police, those externed from the city belong to a couple of gangs who operate from various slums in the city. They earn huge profits by breaking the seal of the milk bags and adding contaminated water into it, before sealing it again. Milk bags of Aarey, Mother Dairy, Mahanand, Gokul, Amul and Varna brands were recovered during earlier raids.
The raids were conducted at DN Nagar area of Andheri and Juhu. However, officials said instead of the police, it's the Food and Drug Administration (FDA, who should be playing an active role in controlling the crime. However, sources alleged that the FDA turns a blind eye to it.
According to senior police officials, the milk adulteration racket is operated in an organised manner and each gang has more than a dozen people involved in it.