News Tamil Nadu

TN BJP Head Annamalai Slams DMK Milk Minister Mano Thangaraj Claims On Aavin’s Fat Content, Questions Discontinuance Of ‘Green Magic’

November 21, 2023
The Commune

In a startling revelation, Aavin’s iconic standardised milk variant, Green Magic, is set to be discontinued to cut costs, sending shockwaves through Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party chief, K Annamalai, took to social media platform X, exposing discrepancies in the Premium milk variant (Orange cover), which was purported to contain 6% fat but was found to have only 4.79% fat. Annamalai backed his claim with test results obtained and published for public scrutiny.

Aavin’s decision to halt the sale of the long-standing green packet milk, a household staple for four decades, has triggered widespread condemnation. The move to replace it with purple packet milk, boasting 3.5% fat content, has been labelled as an act of deceit against the public.

Annamalai’s revelation, based on a study conducted by a Food Safety and Standardization Authority (FSSAI) approved laboratory, alleges a significant shortfall in the fat content of the Orange packet milk. The reported 4.79% fat content falls considerably short of the promised 6%. 

Accusing the DMK government of jeopardising the health of children dependent on Aavin’s milk by intentionally reducing fat content, Annamalai urged the Tamil Nadu government to cease such practices. He called for transparency, demanding an immediate halt to deceptive practices that compromise milk quality without a corresponding reduction in prices.

Annamalai wrote, “Tamil Nadu Government’s Aavin Milk Company has decided to stop the sale of green packet milk, which has been in use for the last forty years, is strongly condemned. The decision to stop the sale of green packet milk with 4.5% fat content and to sell purple packet milk with 3.5% fat content is an act of cheating the public. Orange packet milk, which should already contain 6% fat content, has 4.79% fat content, according to a study conducted by a Food Safety and Standardization Authority (FSSAI) approved laboratory. We have attached this test report for the Minister’s consideration. This corrupt DMK government is deliberately playing with the development of children who depend on Aavin company’s milk by reducing the fat content. Also, I urge the Tamil Nadu government to immediately stop deceiving the public by reducing the fat content of milk and not reducing the price, and provide quality milk at the price paid by the public.”

Responding to these allegations, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government’s Minister of Milk and Dairy Development of Tamil Nadu, Mano Thangaraj, contested the authenticity of the test report. He argued that the report did not specify its association with Aavin milk and highlighted that the sample was not presented in packet format; instead, a PET container was used.

He wrote, “Annamalai, Addressing your recent tweet on Aavin Milk’s fat content, we are dismayed by the deliberate spread of misinformation. The referenced test report fails to specify it pertains to Aavin Milk. Aavin exclusively packages in packets, not PET containers as suggested, casting doubt on the sample’s authenticity. Testing samples without original packaging compromises accuracy. It’s a fundamental practice to ensure reliable results, seemingly overlooked here. We’re deeply concerned your statements may mislead and create unnecessary doubt. Aavin has an impeccable reputation, and we stand by the integrity of our processes. Regrettably, your actions appear to damage Tamil Nadu’s reputation for political gains. Discouraging support for locally produced Aavin products, vital to our farmers, raises questions about your motives. We suspect these actions for personal gain, possibly seeking benefits from companies outside our state, at the expense of our farmers – a disgraceful move. Refrain from baseless political maneuvers. We’re committed to transparency, upholding product standards, and won’t tolerate false claims undermining our state’s farmers.” 

In a counter-response, Annamalai pointed fingers at the government, alleging a deliberate campaign against Aavin. He stated that successive administrations, including his predecessor, played a role in the decline of Aavin by incessantly increasing prices, manipulating product composition, hindering health mix production, and intentionally reducing milk procurement from farmers. Annamalai wrote, “Thiru Mano Thangaraj, leased answers wouldn’t help hide the sorry state of affairs under the Corrupt DMK govt. The report is a reality check of how the state-run milk cooperative under the DMK govt has been converted to an extortion unit by charging more & delivering less. A minister should have known that samples are always given in pet bottles for testing, and what is important is whether the samples were handed over in good condition, which is affirmed in the report. Be it your predecessor or you now, you’ve ensured the downfall of Aavin with the constant increases in prices, deliberate manipulation of the composition of the product, deprived Aavin of the opportunity of producing the health mix and, most importantly, purposely decreased procurement of milk from farmers compared to the previous regime. Your baseless arguments wouldn’t help increase fat% in Aavin orange variety milk, but you acting as a Minister & carrying out your duty would.”

Earlier this month, Ponnusamy, the head of the TN Milk Dealers Association, had raised concerns about a potential scam within Aavin. The ongoing controversy raises questions about the quality of Aavin’s milk and the practices employed by the Tamil Nadu government in managing this crucial resource. As public scrutiny intensifies, all eyes are on the authorities to address these allegations and ensure the integrity of Tamil Nadu’s dairy industry.

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