The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has uncovered an alleged organised milk adulteration network in Pune district after laboratory tests detected detergent and Nonylphenol Ethoxylate in milk samples.
The investigation started in the Manchar area of Pune district as part of a wider campaign against milk and dairy-product adulteration. Now investigators are looking into an alleged supply chain involving suppliers of adulterating substances, milk collection centres, chilling facilities and processing units.
The latest findings have also led investigators to Malshiras in neighbouring Solapur district and Indapur in Pune district. The investigators have identified 37 accused persons in the Manchar case, 25 have been arrested and a charge sheet has been filed, while 12 others have secured anticipatory bail.
How The Alleged Milk Adulteration Was Carried Out
The investigation started after the FDA and Pune Rural Police's Local Crime Branch conducted a raid on July 4 at M/s Navkar Distributors in Bhoramala, Avasari Khurd, in Ambegaon taluka.
In the course of the operation, officials found whey powder, whey permeate powder, detergent, emulsifiers and other substances suspected of being used to adulterate milk. Samples and stocks were seized and a case was registered at Manchar Police Station.
According to the FDA’s findings, they suspect that different substances were being combined to alter the composition of milk.
Skimmed milk powder was allegedly used to increase the SNF levels. Whey powder was added to help reduce protein-related components, and edible oil was used to increase fat content. Emulsifiers and detergent were used for mixing together all the ingredients.
The authorities then expanded the investigation to suppliers and stockists of these materials as well as milk collection and chilling centres.
Detergent and Industrial Chemical Detected In Milk Samples
One of the most significant findings was the laboratory test results of milk from Akash Dairy Farm in Manchar.
FDA officials visited the facility on July 6 and collected six milk samples. According to the FDA laboratory report dated September 28, all six samples tested positive for detergent.
A supplementary analysis also identified Alphox-200 Ethoxylate, which is Nonylphenol Ethoxylate, in all six samples. The samples were also found to have fat and SNF levels below prescribed standards, according to the FDA.
Nonylphenol ethoxylates are industrial surfactants and are not intended as food ingredients. Their presence in milk indicates contamination with a substance used for industrial purposes rather than normal dairy processing.
Another sample from Atharva Milk and Milk Product Industries was also found to contain detergent and was declared unsafe for human consumption, according to reports based on the FDA investigation.
16,730 litres of milk destroyed in separate cases
The investigation also extends beyond Manchar.
In two separate cases in Malshiras, Solapur district, the FDA destroyed 16,730 litres of milk valued at around Rs 6.69 lakh after samples were found unsafe.
The sample at Mahalakshmi Milk and Milk Products in Piliv tested positive for detergent and fat and SNF levels were below prescribed levels. In order to do so, authorities destroyed 7,634 litres of milk valued at approximately Rs 3.05 lakh.
In another case involving Dailywish Agro Dairy Product Pvt Ltd in Piliv, 9,096 litres of milk worth around Rs 3.64 lakh were destroyed after the sample was declared unsafe due to detergent and inadequate fat and SNF levels. FIRs were registered in both cases.
A probe traces supply chain to Dairy Processing Units.
The FDA investigation has now gone beyond the locations where adulteration is believed to have happened.
According to officials, delivery records and tanker challans have helped establish a suspected supply chain between Mahalakshmi Milk and Milk Products, Yogininatha Milk Suppliers and Indapur Dairy and Milk Products Ltd (Sonai Dairy) at Gokhali in Indapur.
The FDA has said it has prima facie established that adulterated milk was supplied to the dairy through the identified channels. Another route is also being investigated in which adulterated milk was allegedly prepared and supplied directly to the dairy.
The investigation is also going to look at financial transactions and digital evidence dating back to June 2024 to identify the entire network and all establishments and individuals involved.
To date, authorities have ordered the suspension of licences or registrations or closure of 26 food establishments connected to the investigation.
Maharashtra FDA Intensifies Milk Safety Checks.
The Maharashtra FDA has said its investigation will continue throughout the entire milk supply chain, from suppliers of substances allegedly used for adulteration to collection centres, chilling facilities, dairies and processing units.
The agency has also increased surveillance at milk collection centres and other facilities in Maharashtra.
The case highlights the challenges of monitoring milk adulteration as many intermediaries are involved between collection points and processing facilities.
For consumers, the investigation is a reminder of the importance of food-safety checks and regulatory testing. But the results are in relation to specific samples and establishments under investigation and do not mean all milk sold in Maharashtra is adulterated.
The FDA will continue the investigation to determine the extent of the alleged network and who is responsible for this and how.
