Pune’s milk adulteration crackdown has uncovered detergent and nonylphenol ethoxylate chemicals in milk, with the Food and Drug Administration identifying 37 accused and arresting 25 people across the district, according to the FDA. The operation has also led to the suspension of licences or registrations of 26 food establishments or orders to shut their operations.
The action began in Manchar, where FDA officials traced the alleged adulteration chain from suppliers of chemicals and other substances to milk collection centres, chilling facilities and processing dairies. During the operation, officials seized whey powder, which was allegedly used to increase milk solids, along with detergent and other substances used to stabilise the adulterated mixture.
The FDA collected six milk samples from Akash Dairy Farm in Manchar for testing. All six samples were found to contain detergent, officials said. The investigation is examining the roles of adulterant suppliers, transporters, people associated with milk collection and chilling centres, and dairy operators.
The establishments inspected during the crackdown include Navkar Distributors in Bhoramal, Ambegaon; Akash Dairy Farm in Manchar; Pirsai Milk and Milk Powder; Atharva Milk and Milk Product Industries at Shirve in Ambegaon; and Sonai Dairy at Gokhali in Indapur. Action has also been taken against establishments in Indapur and Malshiras.
The operation highlights the extent to which milk quality depends on a distributed chain rather than only on the final dairy or retail outlet. Milk moves through collection, transport, chilling, processing and distribution points before reaching consumers. The FDA’s investigation is examining each of these stages as part of the enforcement action.
The regulator has ordered the suspension of licences or registrations of 26 establishments or directed that their operations be shut down. The FDA has not disclosed in the supplied report the duration of the suspensions, the quantity of adulterated milk seized, or the specific charges filed against each accused.
“Maharashtra is extremely strict about food quality and enforcement of the law. Playing with the health of consumers and the public will not be tolerated. Strict action against establishments selling or storing expired, adulterated or food products prepared in unhygienic and unsafe conditions will continue,” FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said.
