Madurai Aavin has once again become the center of controversy. For three consecutive days last week, people in Madurai and surrounding areas complained that a plastic-like odor was coming from Aavin’s blue packet milk when it was boiled. People were left talking among themselves, unsure whom to tell and how to put an end to the issue.
Regarding this, former Aavin union employee Palanisamy said, “Every day, 1.47 lakh liters of milk are procured for the Madurai Aavin company through cooperative milk producers. The 1.47 lakh liters of milk procured must be converted into 2.20 lakh liters and sent for sale as 40 lakh milk packets, according to quantity. When the milk procured in this way is loaded into tankers, the milk cooperative society officials who inspect it and the Aavin administrative officials are joining hands and engaging in irregularities.
For this, they mix in milk powder and butter to increase the fat content. Officials are using a few techniques for this. That is, they mix in some starchy food items like sago to increase the weight of the milk and prepare it for sale. Five years ago, irregularities in milk procured in this way erupted into a major issue. After being quiet for some time, this matter has erupted again. The government must take appropriate action,” he said, causing shock.
Some employees of Madurai Aavin said, “Just as multiple inspections are carried out when procuring milk, no checks are done when purchasing milk-filling packets either. After the milk had been giving off a foul smell for three consecutive days, officials say, ‘We inspected the spoiled milk; there is no problem with the milk. It is with the plastic packet.’ If that is so, how did the officials buy those substandard plastic milk pouches without inspecting them?” they asked.
When Madurai Aavin company manager Muthu Karthikeyan was asked for an explanation, he said, ``The reason for the foul smell in Aavin milk last week was plastic. We have sent this for testing to the relevant laboratories and confirmed it. The plastic wraps used to seal the milk come in rolls weighing 30 kilos each. In some of these rolls, the middle portion was of poor quality, so the plastic got scorched and this problem arose." he said.
When will the controversy over Aavin ever subside?