DU teacher feels threatened for research that found antibiotics in milk

Dhaka University professor ABM Faroque, who along with his colleagues found traces of antibiotics and detergent in packaged milk available in kitchen markets, does not feel safe.

“The way some government officials and company owners verbally attacked me over the results of a survey to determine packaged milk’s quality is disturbing. I now feel threatened,” professor Faroque told Prothom Alo on Saturday.

The professor of DU’s Faculty of Pharmacy, also former director of Biomedical Research Centre, however is unwavering over the results of his tests.

Professor Faroque’s research team claimed to have found traces of antibiotics in 10 samples of pasteurised and unpasteurised milk produced by several companies.

Ten samples — seven pasteurised and three unpasteurised — were again tested last week, read a press statement signed by professor Faroque.

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 the results of these tests and others in future for the sake of the people,” professor Faroque said in the statement.

He requested the authorities concerned to run regular tests on the products and improve their quality.

Earlier on 25 June, the research team headed by professor Faroque announced about finding traces of detergent and antibiotics in samples of pasteurised and unpasteurised milk of Pran, Milk Vita, Igloo, Aarong, and Farm Fresh.

DU’s Department of Pharmacy, however, had distanced itself from the research.

“The department was not involved with the report and research,” a press statement, signed by chairman professor Sitesh Chandra Bachar, read.

He clarified that it was conducted by some members and students of the pharmacy faculty, not the pharmacy department.