Junagadh farmer files petition in HC against 'poison' sold in the name of animal feed: Court issues notice to BIS and FSSAI, asks them to appear on January 29; Poison in the stomach of an animal is fatal to humans

Animal husbandry is the backbone of Gujarat's economy, but what if the feed given to these animals becomes poisonous? Hareshbhai Vadar, a farmer from Dhanhusar village in Junagadh taluka, has approached the High Court. In February 2024, Hareshbhai bought cattle feed from a well-known company. Within a few days of feeding the husk, two of his healthy buffaloes suddenly died tragically. Aggrieved by this incident, when the farmer underwent a laboratory test of the lap, he blew everyone's senses when the truth came out. Investigations revealed that 30 to 50 per cent of the animal feed sold in the market was adulterated. Which is proving to be fatal for animals. HC orders officials to appear before it after farmer's petition After losing his precious animals, Hareshbhai approached big agencies like the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for justice. He also handed over the laboratory report and the list of adulterators to the officials as evidence. However, instead of taking action, the responsible officials started shifting the blame onto each other. The officials raised their hands saying that the sellers should have a licence but we cannot stop them directly. Seeing this laxity of the government departments, the farmer finally filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Gujarat High Court. The high court took the matter very seriously and directed the authorities concerned to appear in person or submit a written reply on January 29. Artificial flavours are mixed to attract cattle The price of animal feed i.e. grain and cow dung is continuously increasing in the market. In this game of profiteering, producers add useless and cheap elements to the grain to reduce the price. In particular, excess quantities of urea and waste 'heavy metals' are added to artificially increase the amount of protein. Artificial flavours are added to it to attract animals, so that the animal eats it as if they are hungry, but this food produces metabolic disorders and toxins in its body. Urea and other chemicals are 'reflected' in her milk Assistant Research Scientist at Kamdhenu University. K. v. According to Karangia, adulteration of animal feed endangers not only animals but also humans who drink milk. When an animal eats adulterated grains, urea and other chemicals are 'reflected' in its milk. The percentage of fat and SNF in such milk decreases and the amount of somatic cells increases. Blatant Violation of BIS and FSSAI Rules The petitioner's counsel submitted in the High Court that IS 2025 standards and BIS registration are mandatory for the manufacture and sale of animal feed. The local administration has been silent despite having the power to take action against substandard food under Section 16(5) of the Food Safety Act. In order to prevent this adulteration, the High Court has now sought directions to the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Control Administration to comply with the guidelines by making him a party. If the administration does not give a satisfactory reply in the January 29 hearing, the high court can pass a state-wide order to stop this illegal trade. Red light advice for cattle herders According to scientists, farmers should give a balanced diet to the animals instead of relying only on market feed. While storing dry fodder, the moisture content should not exceed 12 to 14%, otherwise fungus can produce 'aflatoxin'. Farmers should check the credibility of the cotton they buy. Hareshbhai's fight is no longer limited to just the death of two buffaloes, but it has become a fight to protect the health of lakhs of cattle farmers and milk consumers of Gujarat. There is now a demand among the public that just as there is a campaign against adulteration in human food, the animal feed scams should also be put behind bars.