PRAN Dairy blames local syndicate for adulterated milk incident in Pabna

PRAN Dairy authorities have claimed that the recent detection of adulterated milk at one of their rural collection centres in Chatmohar upazila, Pabna, was a planned conspiracy by a local syndicate aiming to tarnish the company's reputation.

At a press conference held today (10 August) at PRAN Dairy's head office in Badda, Dhaka, officials said that some local milk suppliers, frustrated by their failure to supply substandard milk to PRAN, joined forces with a few collection centre employees to introduce adulterated milk. They then alerted authorities to create a scandal.

PRAN Dairy's Managing Director Eleash Mridha said, "We were deeply shocked when adulterated milk was found during a local administration raid at the Village Milk Collection Centre in Chhaikola union. We immediately shut down the centre and launched an investigation. Early findings show a local syndicate of milk suppliers conspired with some employees to carry out this act."

He added, "We have suspended three employees suspected of involvement and identified several local suppliers linked to the case. Legal action is underway."

Mridha also addressed misinformation on social media, saying, "It is upsetting that unrelated videos showing soda, oil, and detergent were falsely linked to PRAN's collection centre. These were edited and misrepresented."

PRAN Dairy's Chief Operating Officer Maksudur Rahman detailed ongoing quality control efforts, saying, "Suppliers from Chhaikola union with repeated quality problems had their supply codes cancelled. This led to the formation of a syndicate that intimidated our staff. On 7 March, they physically assaulted a PRAN official and threatened him. A police case was filed."

Rahman continued, "This group conspired with three suspended employees to introduce detergent-mixed milk into the collection centre and falsely blame PRAN."

Kamruzzaman Kamal, director (marketing) of PRAN-RFL Group, described the company's strict testing system, "Milk is tested at four stages—from collection centres to final packaging—to ensure purity. Any contaminated milk is detected and discarded early on."

He assured, "PRAN Dairy is committed to providing safe, pure milk. We are strengthening our processes with awareness campaigns, improved testing, better monitoring, and CCTV installation at collection points."

Kamruzzaman apologised to consumers for the distress caused and affirmed, "PRAN milk is completely safe and hygienic. Consumers can trust our product fully."

Other senior PRAN officials also attended the press briefing.