Dairy farm sealed for use of oxytocin

Dairy farmers were found using banned chemicals to increase milk production

ISLAMABAD:

In an early morning raid, the Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) on Wednesday sealed a dairy farm in Meherabadi for using banned chemicals to increase milk production.

IFA Deputy Director Operations Dr Tahira Siddique said that the food safety teams (FSTs) found poor hygiene conditions and seized a large quantity of prohibited injections used on animals.

IFA carried out a major operation at a dairy farm in Meherabadi during the early hours of the day. The raid revealed the use of oxytocin injections-an illegal substance banned for use in dairy production to artificially increase milk output.

According to Dr Tahira Siddique, over five litres of oxytocin were recovered from the premises and later destroyed. The dairy farm was immediately sealed for violating food safety laws. Health and hygiene conditions at the farm were found to be extremely poor. Officials reported a high presence of flies and mosquitoes. The area where milk was being processed had an unpleasant smell, indicating serious cleanliness issues.

Workers at the facility were also found in unhygienic conditions, with no evidence of personal hygiene being maintained. "Using oxytocin in milk production is strictly prohibited," said the IFA Deputy Director. "Such chemicals not only affect the quality of milk but also pose serious health risks to consumers," she added, confirming the risks and further stating that consuming such milk can damage the stomach, liver and intestines. She also emphasised that the use of chemicals to boost milk production is illegal and harmful.

The food authority has intensified efforts to ensure the availability of safe and standard milk across the capital.

Officials said they are adopting a zero-tolerance policy against milk adulteration and have launched a crackdown on all dairy farms operating in Islamabad.

"We are committed to protecting public health and are targeting those who violate food safety laws," said Dr Tahira Siddique. "Strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such illegal practices," she added.