The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has embarked on an extensive nationwide survey focusing on milk and milk products. This initiative aims to combat the pervasive issue of adulteration in these essential food items. FSSAI Advisor (Quality Assurance) Satyen K Panda announced on Monday that this comprehensive survey will continue until October, with the regulator slated to present its findings to the health ministry by December.
Covering a staggering 766 districts across India, the surveillance survey will involve the collection of over 10,000 samples during its course. To execute this ambitious endeavor, two agencies have been enlisted: the Quality Council of India, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the National Dairy Development Board.
The survey’s scope encompasses a wide array of milk and milk-based products, including milk, khoa, chenna, paneer, ghee, butter, curd, and ice cream. Various test parameters will be scrutinized, such as adulterants, normal quality, compositional parameters, contaminants, antibiotic residues, and microbiological indicators. The primary objectives of this study are to evaluate compliance with Food Safety and Standards Regulations for milk and milk products and to pinpoint areas prone to adulteration.
FSSAI Advisor Satyen K Panda emphasized the importance of the survey, stating, “The rationale behind choosing milk is its indispensable role in food culture either as a fresh fluid or as a processed dairy product.” Furthermore, the study aims to develop corrective action strategies to rectify issues related to adulteration.
FSSAI has a history of conducting surveys on milk and milk items, with this marking the sixth such endeavor since 2011. In 2022, FSSAI conducted a milk survey in 12 states, including 10 with reported cases of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD). Additionally, the PAN India Milk Products Survey in 2020 collected 2,801 milk product samples from both organized and unorganized sectors across 542 districts, subjecting them to rigorous testing for quality and safety parameters, including pesticide residues, heavy metals, crop contaminants, and melamine.
The current survey represents a significant step toward ensuring the safety and quality of milk and milk products for consumers across India. FSSAI remains optimistic about delivering a comprehensive report on its findings to the health ministry by December, shedding light on the state of this crucial aspect of India’s food industry. Stay tuned for further updates on this crucial initiative.