DCD in milk powder: decision today

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Health Ministry Food Advisory Committee headed by Health Services Director General Dr. Palitha Mahipala will take a decision today on the issue of small amounts of Dicyandiamide (DCD) traced in milk powder. Even a small amount of DCD will not be allowed in milk powder in the future, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

The spokesman said a gazette notification will be issued by the Health Ministry in connection with DCD in milk powder and even a small and harmless amount of DCD will not be allowed in milk powder in the future once the gazette notification is issued.

WHO informed Sri Lankan health authorities that there is no standard on the amount of DCD that should be contained in the milk powder and it is revealed that the amount of DCD in milk powder is not harmful to humans and safe to consume, the spokesman said.

The DCD enters cows milk through the grass they consume. The grass get DCD through agro chemicals, he said.

“But when people consume too much milk powder for too long it is not known how much DCD enter the human body and the effect such high amounts have on human health. Therefore, no DCD will be allowed in milk powder in the future,” he said.