FSSAI launches nationwide crackdown on adulterated milk and dairy products

With milk, paneer, and condensed milk solids forming an essential part of the everyday Indian diet, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a nationwide enforcement drive to curb adulteration and unsafe practices in the dairy sector.

The move is aimed at protecting public health and enhancing food safety standards nationwide.

Milk and milk-based products are consumed widely in homes, restaurants, and sweet shops, yet concerns over adulteration have persisted for years. Acting on inspections and intelligence inputs that point to poor quality, misbranding, and illegal operations, FSSAI has directed states and Union Territories to intensify checks across the entire dairy supply chain.

Food safety officials have been instructed to inspect milk collection centres, processing units, transport vehicles, cold storage facilities, wholesale markets, and retail outlets.

Products such as paneer and condensed milk solids are receiving special attention because they are easier to adulterate and are extensively used both in households and commercial kitchens.

The enforcement drive applies to licensed businesses as well as unregistered operators.

As part of the crackdown, authorities are collecting samples for laboratory testing to detect adulteration and quality violations, while also verifying whether food businesses are properly registered or licensed under food safety regulations. Where violations are found, officials are empowered to seize and destroy unsafe products, cancel licences, or shut down illegal units altogether.

The aim is to deter repeat offences and send a clear message that adulteration will attract strict consequences.

Hotels, restaurants, caterers, and pubs are also under scrutiny, as they consume large quantities of milk and paneer daily. These establishments are required to source dairy products only from compliant and reliable suppliers, and failure to do so could lead to penalties or suspension of licences.

For consumers, the enforcement drive signals a renewed effort to make commonly used dairy products safer, though awareness and caution at the household level remain crucial.

Consumers are advised to buy milk and milk products from trusted sources such as reputed brands, cooperatives, and licensed vendors.

When purchasing loose milk, paneer, or milk solids, it is safer to choose sellers with a consistent and reliable track record. Packaged products should always be checked for FSSAI licence numbers, manufacturing details, and use-by dates.

At home, people should stay alert to warning signs such as unusual smell or taste, milk that remains overly thin even after boiling, excessive froth, or paneer and solids that spoil unusually fast, as these may indicate poor quality or adulteration.

Proper storage also plays an important role in safety.

Milk, paneer, and milk solids should be refrigerated promptly if not used immediately, clean utensils should always be used, and prolonged storage at room temperature should be avoided, especially in hot weather.

Some simple home checks can offer additional clues.

Pure milk dropped on a slanted surface flows slowly and leaves a white trail, while excessive or long-lasting foam may suggest the presence of detergent or synthetic additives. Boiled and cooled milk should form a thin cream layer, and the absence of cream may indicate dilution. Adding iodine to cooled milk and observing a blue colour can signal the presence of starch.

Fresh paneer is typically firm yet soft to the touch and springs back slightly, while sour or chemical odours are red flags. In hot water, poor-quality paneer may disintegrate excessively or leave residue. Milk solids should have a smooth, slightly granular texture, rather than being rubbery or overly hard. Sharp or chemical smells can indicate adulteration. When gently heated, pure khoya melts evenly and releases fat.

If adulteration is strongly suspected, consumers are encouraged to report it to local food safety authorities, who can arrange proper laboratory testing. While home checks cannot detect every adulterant, careful purchasing, safe storage, and basic alertness can significantly reduce risk.