Staff Reporter :
New tests conducted by researchers led by a Dhaka University teacher have once again revealed the presence of antibiotics in samples of local pasteurised milk.
The researchers collected 10 new samples (pasteurised and unpasteurised) produced by several companies for testing, all of which contained huge amount of antibiotics comparing the earlier tests, said a press release signed by Professor ABM Faruque, the former Director of Dhaka University’s Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).
Of the 10 samples, seven pasteurised and three unpasteurised were again tested last week.
Pasteurised products of Pran, Milk Vita, Igloo, Aarong, and Farm Fresh were tested, the statement released on Saturday said.
New tests found four types of antibiotics in three samples, three types of antibiotics in six samples and two types in one sample.
“We’ll try to publish results of these tests and others in future in the people’s interest,” Professor Faruque said.
He requested the authorities concerned to run regular tests of the products and improve their qualities. In the meantime, the Department of Livestock Services questioned objective of the study, with businessmen claiming local and foreign forces were conspiring to destroy Bangladesh’s booming dairy industry.
In this context, Prof Faroque outlined the findings of the second round of tests in a statement and refuted claims that the study was part of a conspiracy to undermine the dairy industry.
Researchers began the second round of tests on July 2, according to Faroque. “We had again conducted the test last week. We found four antibiotics (oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin). Two of the antibiotics (oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin) were not found in the previous tests,” he said in the statement.
On June 25, researchers announced about finding traces of detergent and antibiotics in samples of pasteurised and unpasteurised milk of Pran, Milk Vita, Igloo, Aarong, and Farm Fresh.
All seven samples of pasteurised milk contained antibiotics used to treat humans, Professor Faruque has said.
“The same team of researchers conducted tests on samples of the same milk brands collected from the same place. We also used the same apparatus from the last round of tests,” he said.
“But the results are as alarming as before. The only difference is that we found three types of antibiotics in the first study – this time we found four.”
The university’s pharmacy department subsequently denied any involvement with the study.
New tests conducted by researchers led by a Dhaka University teacher have once again revealed the presence of antibiotics in samples of local pasteurised milk.
The researchers collected 10 new samples (pasteurised and unpasteurised) produced by several companies for testing, all of which contained huge amount of antibiotics comparing the earlier tests, said a press release signed by Professor ABM Faruque, the former Director of Dhaka University’s Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).
Of the 10 samples, seven pasteurised and three unpasteurised were again tested last week.
Pasteurised products of Pran, Milk Vita, Igloo, Aarong, and Farm Fresh were tested, the statement released on Saturday said.
New tests found four types of antibiotics in three samples, three types of antibiotics in six samples and two types in one sample.
“We’ll try to publish results of these tests and others in future in the people’s interest,” Professor Faruque said.
He requested the authorities concerned to run regular tests of the products and improve their qualities. In the meantime, the Department of Livestock Services questioned objective of the study, with businessmen claiming local and foreign forces were conspiring to destroy Bangladesh’s booming dairy industry.
In this context, Prof Faroque outlined the findings of the second round of tests in a statement and refuted claims that the study was part of a conspiracy to undermine the dairy industry.
Researchers began the second round of tests on July 2, according to Faroque. “We had again conducted the test last week. We found four antibiotics (oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin). Two of the antibiotics (oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin) were not found in the previous tests,” he said in the statement.
On June 25, researchers announced about finding traces of detergent and antibiotics in samples of pasteurised and unpasteurised milk of Pran, Milk Vita, Igloo, Aarong, and Farm Fresh.
All seven samples of pasteurised milk contained antibiotics used to treat humans, Professor Faruque has said.
“The same team of researchers conducted tests on samples of the same milk brands collected from the same place. We also used the same apparatus from the last round of tests,” he said.
“But the results are as alarming as before. The only difference is that we found three types of antibiotics in the first study – this time we found four.”
The university’s pharmacy department subsequently denied any involvement with the study.
