Worms were found in six out of 40 packets of milk brought to Kavalappara aided upper primary school as part of the mid-day meal scheme. Photo: ManoramaShoranur: Worms were found in Milma milk packets distributed for schoolchildren at Kavalappara in Kerala's Palakkad district, triggering protests from people.
The public education director has temporarily suspended the milk distribution to schools following the incident. Worms were found in six out of 40 packets of milk brought to Kavalappara aided upper primary school as part of the mid-day meal scheme. Headmistress KT Sarala Devi said small, white worms were found floating in the milk.
P Dinesh, northern area coordinator of the mid-day meal program and Shoranur sub-district mid-day meal officer, said the food security commissioner has been informed about the incident. A detailed report will be submitted to the education department soon. Milma and the food security department have also collected samples.
Protests
The incident sparked off protests in the area with political parties taking up the issue. Milma plant supervisor Saji K George was gheraoed by BJP workers when he visited the school. He was released after an assurance over phone from the Palakkad plant manager that the milk will not be sold in the market till corrective measures were taken. The Congress has also asked the batch of milk to be withdrawn.
Milma explains
Milma's Pattambi dairy assistant manager P Arun said, “Milk is packed after boiling at 76 degree Celsius and then freezing at 4 degree Celsius. It is again frozen before distribution." He said worms cannot survive when the milk is boiled at high temperature and then frozen.
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