Consumer finds dust particles in milk, dairy firm fined 55,000

Chennai: Hatsun Agro Products Limited was fined 55,000 after a consumer from Avadi proved the company supplied adulterated milk.T. Jaikrishna, a resident of Avadi, purchased a 1.5l Arokya milk can from a local dealer in March 2023 and found dust particles inside. Jaikrishna took the sealed can to the Tamil Nadu Food Safe & Drug Administration Department's lab in Guindy, where testing confirmed the milk was "substandard and unsafe," with dust particles violating the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Armed with this report, Jaikrishna filed a complaint against Hatsun, seeking compensation for the substandard product.In response, the dairy manufacturer, which promotes its products as high-quality and widely distributed, said that its facilities maintain strict hygiene through fully automated, air-conditioned processes, claiming no contaminants could enter. Hatsun highlighted its ISO certifications to support its quality standards and questioned the lab report's validity, noting that while the Guindy lab was under FSSAI's jurisdiction, it did not directly bear FSSAI's seal. The company argued that minor dust particles would not render the product a health risk.However, Tiruvallur district consumer disputes redressal commission upheld Jaikrishna's complaint, ruling that the lab test, conducted by a govt agency, was legitimate and that minor technicalities should not overshadow clear evidence of contamination in a sealed product. The commission emphasised that the consumer's right to safe and uncontaminated food outweighs technical defences regarding hygiene protocols. The commission further said that consumers should not be expected to prove detailed manufacturing practices when a product shows visible contamination. The commission ordered Hatsun to pay Jaikrishna 50,000 for mental distress and inconvenience, refund 115 for the milk, and cover 5,000 in litigation costs. The authorised local dealer, however, was exempted from liability since the product was sealed when sold.