DU researchers find antibiotics in pasteurised milk in second round of tests

New tests conducted by researchers led by a Dhaka University teacher have once again revealed the presence of antibiotics in samples of local pasteurised milk.

According to a statement by Prof ABM Faroque, former director of the university’s Biomedical Research Centre, the researchers collected 10 new samples for testing, all of which contained traces of antibiotics.

Confirming the findings, the pharmaceutical technology teacher told bdnews24.com, “The same team of researchers, conducted tests on samples of the same milk brands collected from the same place. We also used the same apparatus from the last round of tests."

“But the results are as alarming as before. The only difference is that we found three types of antibiotics in the first study – this time we found four.”

On Jun 25, Prof Faroque addressed a media briefing on the results of tests conducted by a group of teachers at the university’s Faculty of Pharmacy on pasteurised milk samples of seven popular consumer brands. The study found the presence of antibiotics used to treat human beings in the products.

The university's pharmacy department subsequently denied any involvement with the study. 

Later, the Department of Livestock Services questioned objective of the study, with businessmen claiming local and foreign forces were conspiring to destroy Bangladesh’s booming dairy industry.

In this context, Prof Faroque outlined the findings of the second round of tests in a statement and refuted claims that the study formed part of a conspiracy to undermine the dairy industry. 

Researchers began the second round of tests on July 2, according to Faroque. "We had redone the test last week. We found four antibiotics (oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin). Two of the antibiotics (oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin) were not found in the previous tests," he said in the statement. 

Of the 10 samples, three contained four antibiotics, six had three and one had two antibiotics, according to the statement. 

"We will try to publish the results of this test as well as others in the public interest," added the statement.