Lok Sabha Question No. 4031 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Milk Adulteration
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri P C Mohan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4031 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH  MARCH 2025

## MILK ADULTERATION

## 4031   SHRI P C MOHAN:

## WILL THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालनऔरडेयरीमंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering implementing region-specific strategies to address variations in milk adulteration practices across States, if so, the details of such plans and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the extent to which the Food Safety on Wheels initiative has been utilized to enhance the rapid  testing  and  monitoring  of  milk  quality  in  underserved  and  rural  areas  and  the challenges faced in scaling this program, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  steps  being  taken  to  integrate  advanced  technologies  to  improve  traceability  and transparency in the milk supply chain; and
- (d) whether there are plans to enhance collaboration between the FSSAI, State Governments, and dairy cooperatives to ensure uniform quality standards for milk and dairy products in the country, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING ( PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL )

- (a) The Government of India enacted Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act- 2006 to unify food related  laws  and  establish  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI).  The FSSAI sets science-based standards for food articles and regulates their manufacture, storage, distribution,  sale  and  import  to  ensure  availability  of  safe  and  wholesome  food  for  human consumption.  The implementation and enforcement of FSS Act are carried out by FSSAI through Food Safety Commissioners of State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. FSSAI, via its regional offices for centrally regulated food businesses and in collaboration  with  States/UTs,  conducts  regular  monitoring  activities  such  as  inspections, audits,  surveillance,  and  random  sampling  to  ensure  compliance  with  the  Act  and  its regulations.  In  FY  2023-24,  FSSAI  introduced  the  'National  Annual  Surveillance  Plan'. Additionally, States /UTs conduct independent surveillance and enforcement measures tailored to their local needs, food trends, consumption patterns, and issues like adulteration. FSSAI also conducts periodic Pan-India Surveillance, focussing on staple foods and other commodities susceptible to adulteration.
- (b) According to FSSAI, Mobile Food Testing Laboratory (MFTL), also known as 'Food Safety on  wheels'  (FSW),  play  a  crucial  role  in  expanding  food  testing,  training,  and  awareness programs,  particularly  in  villages,  towns,  and  remote  areas.  At  present,  285  FSWs  are operational across 35 States and Union Territories. These Units are equipped with essential

infrastructure,  including  'Milk-o-Screen'  equipment,  for  on  spot  testing  of  key  quality parameters viz., Fat, SNF, protein, and adulterants like added water, urea, sucrose, maltodextrin and ammonium sulphate. Additionally, FSWs are capable of performing basic adulteration tests for other food products as well.

- (c) Under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Food Business Operators (FBOs) are  primarily  responsible  for  ensuring  full  traceability  of  food  products,  from  raw material  procurement  to  the  delivery  of  finished  goods  to  consumers.  They  must  maintain proper  records  and  documentation  throughout  the  supply  chain  to  uphold  transparency, accountability, and safety. Compliance with these requirements is verified during inspections and audits, and appropriate regulatory action are taken in case of violations.

Additionally,  the  Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  &  Dairying  implements  the  national Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), which focuses on establishing and enhancing infrastructure for quality milk testing equipment and primary chilling facilities.  The NPDD also provides financial support to cooperatives and milk producer institutions for purchasing Automatic  Milk  Collection  Units  (AMCU)  and  Data  Processing  Milk  Collection  Units (DPMCU), ensuring transparency in milk collection at the village level.

- (d) The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has established standards for milk and milk products under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives)  Regulations,  2011.  These  standards  apply  uniformly  to  all  Food  Business Operations (FBOs), including dairy cooperatives, across the country to ensure compliance. When developing new standards or amending existing ones, FSSAI releases draft notifications to solicit feedback and suggestions from the general public and stakeholders. The feedback received,  including  input  from  dairy  cooperatives,  is  thoroughly  reviewed  and  considered during the standard-setting process.

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