Court declares Karachi’s milk ‘unsafe’ for human consumption

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court was informed on Wednesday that Karachi’s milk is unsafe, as a report presented by the commissioner of the city showed that every sample collected in the city failed safety tests.

Laboratory tests revealed the presence of formalin in 22 samples and phosphate in eight, according to the PSQCA. The results indicate rampant adulteration and unsafe handling throughout the supply chain.

The report, presented before a two-judge bench headed by Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry, noted that hygiene practices followed by farmers, wholesalers, and retailers were posing serious risks to public health.

A milk retailers’ association had earlier requested a citywide inspection, and every sample collected during the drive failed PSQCA standards, the court was told.

The commissioner said there was no reason to increase the price of milk, as the demand is low during the winter season. A notification issued on November 27 fixed the retail price at Rs. 220 per litre and directed all associations to follow the rate and comply with new hygiene SOPs.

The case was brought by a dairy farmer in 2023 based on a petition that asserted the official price was below the cost estimated under the government’s formula.