Milk Quality Test at Home – Simple Methods for Milk Adulteration Tests

Milk Quality Test at home is not a complicated process. There are various methods for milk adulteration tests which are simple and easy. Milk is a daily essential and its quality should be ensured for its effectiveness. We can test milk at home using simple and easy methods with basic household items. Test for water in milk, Test for Detergent in Milk, Test for urea in milk, test for starch in milk,  test for cooking oil in milk, and other methods are elaborated here.

This article is written by Shiza Ramzan and Raos Sabir Sattar from UAF.

Milk Adulteration Tests – Simple and Easy 

Milk Quality Test for Water in Milk 

Water is the most common substance added to milk to increase volume. Test for water in milk is easy. Put one drop of milk on a clean and smooth surface such as glass or a polished tile. If the drop of milk stays in place and doesn’t spread, the milk is pure. If it spreads quickly or flows away, the milk may be mixed with water.

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Test for Detergent in Milk

Some milk suppliers add detergent to increase the foaminess of milk and make it look fresh and thick. Test for Detergent in Milk is also easy. Mix a small amount of milk with water and stir it well. If a large amount of foam appears and stays for a long time, it may indicate the presence of detergent. Pure milk creates only a small amount of foam, and it disappears quickly.

Milk Quality Test for Starch in Milk

Starch is added to give milk a thicker texture. But it is not safe and can affect digestion. To test for starch in milk, add a few drops of tincture iodine (available at pharmacies) to a spoonful of milk. If the color of the milk turns blue, it means starch is present. If there is no color change, the milk is pure.

Milk Adulteration Tests for Urea in Milk

Urea is a toxic chemical and very harmful to the kidneys and liver. It should never be present in milk. Test for urea in milk is also not complicated. Add a few drops of erythrosine dye to a spoonful of milk. If the milk turns pink, it contains urea.

There is also another method to test for urea in milk. Rub some milk between your fingers. It could be adulterated with urea if it feels unusually greasy or has a slightly sweet and chemical-like smell.

Milk Quality Test at Home for Freshness and Sourness

Fresh milk forms good-quality curd when boiled, while adulterated or diluted milk does not. Boil a small quantity of milk. Pure milk will form a fragrant and thick layer or Bali. If the balai is very light or missing altogether, the milk may be mixed with water or other substances.

Milk Quality Test for Cooking Oil in Milk

Cooking oil is sometimes added to milk to give it a creamy appearance. To test for cooking oil in milk, pour milk into a transparent glass or bottle and place it in the refrigerator for 4–6 hours. If you notice an oily layer floating on top, the milk likely contains cooking oil. Pure milk will not form any such layer.

Why You Should Test Milk at Home

Test milk at home helps us ensure the health and safety of your family. Adulterated milk can cause serious health issues. By using these simple home tests, we can avoid harmful substances and make better choices.

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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