13 dead, 11 hospitalised after consuming adulterated milk in Andhra Pradesh

At least 13 people have died and 11 others remain hospitalised after allegedly consuming adulterated milk in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district, officials said.

The cases first came to light on February 22 after several elderly residents developed symptoms including anuria, vomiting, abdominal pain and acute renal dysfunction requiring dialysis. They were rushed to hospitals for treatment.

"The death toll in the suspected milk adulteration case in East Godavari district has reached 13, while seven persons are undergoing treatment at hospitals in Rajamahendravaram," an official told media.

Following the incident, milk samples were sent for detailed examination. Authorities said strong epidemiological indicators point to milk adulteration as the probable cause, prompting coordinated action by multiple departments.

Medical examinations of the affected persons revealed elevated levels of blood urea and serum creatinine, suggesting possible toxic exposure, officials said.

Preliminary investigations indicated milk consumption as the main source of exposure. The milk was reportedly supplied to around 106 families by Varalakshmi Milk Dairy in a village in the Korukonda mandal region. The supply was immediately halted after the cases emerged.

Emergency medical camps have been set up in the affected areas, with doctors and ambulance services deployed round the clock and rapid Response Teams comprising the district surveillance officer, physicians, microbiologists, paediatricians, forensic experts, epidemiologists and nephrologists have been constituted to manage the situation.

The Food Safety Department inspected the dairy unit linked to the supply and collected samples of milk, paneer, ghee, drinking water and vinegar for surveillance and enforcement.

The suspected milk vendor, Addala Ganeswararao (33), a resident of Narasapuram village, has been taken into custody, and the dairy unit associated with the supply has been sealed.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Telangana conducted a statewide anti-adulteration drive to ensure the safety of sweets, snacks and milk products sold to the public.

Food Safety teams carried out inspections across the state from March 2 to March 4, targeting establishments dealing in sweets, savouries and milk-based products that witness high demand during the festival season.

During the drive, authorities inspected 140 food establishments and collected 221 food samples for laboratory analysis. Officials also discarded 12 unsafe food items found during inspections and carried out eight seizures.

The department said regulatory action has been initiated against establishments found violating food safety norms.

Officials said the drive was undertaken as a precautionary measure to prevent food adulteration and ensure that citizens can celebrate the festival safely. The Food Safety Department reiterated its commitment to maintaining food safety standards and promoting public health during festival seasons.

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