Mangalore: Milk Producers' Federation Rubbishes Rumours, Says Nandini safe

Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)

Update

Mangalore, Aug 20: In the wake of rumours regarding suspected contamination of Nandini milk, as reported by Daijiworld earlier, Raviraj Hegde, president of Dakshina Kannada Cooperative Milk Producers' Federation (DKCMPF) convened an emergency press meet and clarified that Nandini milk was safe and unadulterated.

Addressing reporters here on Monday August 20, Raviraj said that a few media and individuals through SMS had spread rumours about contamination of Nandini milk, which was unfortunate. "A few anti-social elements are creating nuisance and trying to instill fear in the minds of the people, and this is also their handiwork," he alleged.

"There is absolutely no truth in the rumours," he declared.

"The milk federation has been awarded ISO - 22000-2005 certification. Nandini milk is processed scientifically and undergoes quality check every day" he said.

"The rumours started on Sunday August 19 night in various parts of the state, and on Monday they spread to Dakshina Kannada also," he explained, adding, "As it was festival day, 3.36 litres of milk was bought by 2.5 lac consumers. Not a single untoward incident has been reported."

To prove their point, the members of the federation and others who were present drank milk from Nandini packets right in front of the media.  They also took the mediapersons on a tour of the manufacturing and packaging units of the dairy and explained the process.

To a query on how and where the rumours started, Raviraj said nothing was not confirmed as yet, and that a complaint has been lodged with the police. "The police also came to the dairy and inspected. They are trying to find the source of the rumours," he added.

"DK milk federation has been supplying milk for 25 years and has been known for its quality.
Such an incident has never happened before," he said.

Federation members and dairy officials Savanoor Seetaram Rai, Bavanta Bettu Niranjan, Sucharita Shetty, Satyanaranyana and Suresh were present.

Earlier in the day, police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said that action will be taken against those who are spreading such rumours.

That the number of messages per day has been restricted to only five should make the task of the police easier. It is to be noted that the worse affected by rumours would perhaps be the farmers who supply the milk.

Earlier Report

Mangalore: Nandini Milk Contaminated? - It's a Rumour, says DKMUL Manager

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Aug 20: A number of consumers of Nandini milk in the city on Monday August 20 woke up to speculations that the milk was contaminated and should not be consumed.

Several people raised concerns about the issue, and some even threw away the milk.

When Daijiworld investigated and spoke to sources at the milk dairy, it was revealed that it was just a rumour and had no truth in it.  A source at the dairy said that the rumour most probably originated from Kolar where a person is said to have consumed spoilt milk and fallen ill.

Daijiworld also spoke to Dr Satyanarayana, manager (marketing) of DKMUL, who rubbished the rumours and said, "There is no chance of contamination. The milk we supply undergoes various processes in the dairy."

On the origin of the rumour he said, "I do not know how or where the rumour originated, but it is mostly among one particular community."

He further reiterated, "Just to make sure, we brought milk from various places and personally drank it. There was absolutely no contamination."

To put the rumours to rest, KMF has called a press meet in the afternoon.