Following a series of allegations against private milk companies, the Tamil Nadu Dairy Development Minister Rajenthra Bhalaji has now claimed that milk samples from private companies showed the presence of formaldehyde, a chemical which is used to preserve bodies from decaying.
He said that the samples have been sent to Central laboratories for testing and strict actions will be taken against the milk companies. “Tests at state laboratories showed that formaldehyde is being used in milk. This is the same chemical used by medical colleges to preserve bodies. We have sent the samples to four Central government laboratories for evaluation which would take 30 days,” he said, reported The New Indian Express.
However, the Minister claimed that if his allegations were proved wrong, he would resign from his cabinet post and would also commit suicide.
Addressing reporters in Sivakasi, the Minister said that with the exception of a few, all private companies are using chemicals in the milk they sell.
He said that the samples of the milk produced by private companies were tested in labs owned by the state’s dairy development department in Madhavaram and Guindy, reported The Times of India.
He also went to state that his allegations were not a threat and that it is well-known that private companies sell adulterated milk for higher commission.
The Minister also challenged private companies to test Aavin milk and check if there are any preservatives used in it.
Rajenthra's latest statement comes after he had earlier alleged that private milk causes cancer due to the preservatives used in it. He had also claimed that the private companies can turn curd into milk.