FSSAI orders nationwide crackdown on adulterated milk, paneer

NEW DELHI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered a nationwide enforcement drive to curb adulteration and misbranding of milk and milk products, including paneer and khoya, directing all states and Union territories to act immediately.Issued under Section 16(5) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the directive follows repeated reports of adulterated and fake dairy products, often traced to illegal and unlicensed operators. FSSAI has said misrepresenting adulterated or analogue products as genuine dairy items poses serious health risks and is a clear violation of food safety laws.State Food Safety Departments and FSSAI regional offices have been asked to intensify inspections across the dairy supply chain, covering production, storage and sale.

Food Safety Officers will draw samples, verify licences and registrations, and probe supply chains. Where samples fail standards or patterns appear suspicious, authorities have been instructed to carry out traceability exercises to identify sources and dismantle illegal networks.Violations will invite strict action, including seizure of unsafe food, closure of illegal units, suspension or cancellation of licences, and recall and destruction of adulterated products.

All enforcement actions must be uploaded on the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) for real-time monitoring.FSSAI has also sought stronger inter-State coordination to curb cross-border movement of adulterated dairy products, asking Commissioners of Food Safety and Regional Directors to personally oversee implementation.In a move directly impacting consumers, state regulators have been told to sensitise hotels, restaurants, caterers, quick-service outlets and pubs, warning them against procuring or using adulterated paneer. Any violation will attract punitive action, with liability extending to food service establishments.Officials said the drive aims to protect consumers, curb food fraud and restore trust in daily staples such as milk and paneer, stressing that dairy safety remains a public health priority.