Is your milk poisoned? Rampant use of oxytocin, steroids in cows sparks health concerns in Odisha

Is the milk you drink really safe? What many consumers believe to be pure and nutritious milk is in reality often laced with harmful substances at multiple stages, right from milking to packaging. The extent of adulteration in the state’s dairy supply chain is so alarming that it raises serious concerns about public health.

Reports suggest that adulteration begins at the farm level. To increase milk production, several dairy farmers are allegedly administering banned oxytocin injections and cheap steroid tablets to cows. Farmers claim that giving these tablets just before milking boosts milk output significantly, often extracting every drop from the animal. These tablets, sold at around Rs 85 for a bottle of 60, are becoming a common practice despite the severe risks they pose to both animals and consumers.

The malpractice does not stop there. During the sale of raw milk, some sellers reportedly mix sugar and salt to artificially raise the milk’s density, helping them earn more money as meter readings show higher fat and solid content. Urban consumers have expressed deep concern, with some even opting to keep cows at home after repeatedly encountering adulterated milk.

“We give tablets to cow before milking them. I don’t know the name of that tablet. It is readily available at medicine shops and costs Rs 85 for 60 tablets. Besides, administering injection also increase milk production. Salt and sugar is added to the milk to increase fat and solid content in the milk,” said a farmer.

Lilimanjari Parida, a resident of Bhubaneswar said, “We were not aware that holstein cow are administered injections. But, we don’t do that in our farm.”

The situation worsens when milk reaches dairy companies. Whistleblowers allege that synthetic milk powder and chemical additive are being mixed before the product is packaged and sent to the market. Health experts warn that such adulterated milk can disturb the body’s hormonal balance, particularly affecting children. Rising cases of early puberty, hormonal disorders, and autism-like symptoms have been linked to prolonged consumption of chemically adulterated milk.

Veterinary officials acknowledge the issue and state that steps are being taken to curb these illegal practices, though the problem persists on a large scale.

“The centre has already banned the use of oxytocin which is used to forcefully milk the cows under prevention of cruelty to animal, 1960 Act. This has adverse impact on our body including hormonal imbalance and early puberty,” said Dr Rashmi Ranjan Das, ADVO, Cuttack.

Meanwhile, the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department on Wednesday observed National Milk Day across Odisha. Government data shows that the state currently produces 72 lakh litres of milk per day, far below the recommended per capita requirement of 300 grams per day, with actual availability standing at only 160 grams. Under the Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana, the government aims to double milk production in the next five years, providing up to70% subsidy for those rearing cows and buffaloes.

Also Read: ‘Unseen threat’: Bihar confirms uranium exposure; Odisha faces unanswered questions

“Odisha government aims to double milk production by 2029. More than 80,000 farmers have applied for Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana under which Rs 2.3 lakh is provided to farmers to procure two cows. A subsidy of 70 per cent is provided under this scheme,” said Gokulananda Mallik, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development department minister.

While the government focuses on increasing milk production, experts emphasize that equally strong action is needed to eliminate adulteration. Without strict enforcement, the milk that people trust as a symbol of purity may continue to turn into a harmful substance