Minister alleges Nestle, Reliance milk powders contain harmful chemicals

Companies deny charge, find support from Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan

Tamil Nadu's Minister for Milk and Dairy Development K T Rajenthra Bhalaji has alleged that two private dairy majors -- Nestle and Reliance -- have been supplying milk products containing hazardous chemicals such as caustic soda and bleaching powder, a charge both companies have denied.

The Minister claims to have checked milk, milk powder and other milk products made by various companies in a laboratory in Chennai.

Exhibiting the packages of the two products -- one from Nestle, the other from Reliance Dairy Products -- Bhalaji said that the result from the lab has confirmed the presence of adulterants in the products.

Asserting