Raising serious health concerns for the country’s next generation, a Dhaka University research for the second time found traces of antiobiotics in samples of packaged milk available in kitchen markets and grocery shops across the country. The findings of the second test was released Saturday amid intimidation of Dhaka University researchers by bureaucrats since the findings of the first test was released three weeks ago, finding traces of detergent and antibiotics in milk samples.
But traces of the same harmful element have been found once again in 10 samples of pasteurised and unpasteurised milk produced by several companies, said a press release signed by ABM Faroque, immediate past director of Dhaka University's Biomedical Research Centre. Mentionable the research findings directly contradict the Bangladesh Standard Testing Institute report, submitted on June 25, to the High Court, saying its test did not detect any hazardous substance in pasteurised milk of 14 brands, including the ones tested by DU researchers.
In the second test, ten samples — seven pasteurised and three unpasteurised — were again tested last week and traces of four antibiotics — Oxytetracycline, Enrofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, and Levofloxacin— were found. Pasteurised products of Pran, Milk Vita, Igloo, Aarong, and Farm Fresh which were tested earlier were again tested, the statement released on Saturday said. Both the researches were led by Farouque.
Earlier on June 25, researchers first announced finding traces of detergent and antibiotics in seven samples of milk produced by the same companies. All samples of pasteurised milk contained antibiotics used to treat humans, Faroque had said, adding detergent was detected in three pasteurised and one unpasteurised samples.
New tests found four antibiotics in three samples, three antibiotics in six samples and two in one samples. “We'll try to publish results of these tests and others in future for the sake of the people,” ABM Faruque said. He requested the authorities concerned to run regular tests on the products and improve their qualities. “We had earlier requested the companies and government agencies concerned such as Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute, Bangladesh Safe Food Authority, Institute of Public Health to conduct tests on presence of antibiotics.”
“We also requested to carry out two more tests on antibiotics and detergents along with the nine tests done under the 18-year old standard of BSTI to test milk,” ABM Faroque said. In the release, Prof Faruque hoped ‘the research will help the concern milk companies to develop the goods quality’ and urged the government to take necessary steps to look after the products quality regularly.