New Delhi.India is the largest producer of milk in the world (about 25 percent share) and unfortunately, also leads in cases of adulterated milk. In recent years, one in every three milk samples tested across the country has failed the quality test. 38 percent of samples were found adulterated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in FY 2025.
According to the FSSAI report, the number of adulterated milk samples increased by 16.64 percentage points between FY 2015 and FY 2018. Half of the 798 samples in FY2022 were found adulterated, the highest rate of adulteration since FY2015. About a week ago, a report by an independent testing platform named ‘Trustified’ claimed that harmful bacteria called coliform was found to be 98 times more than the prescribed limit in the packaged milk of some reputed brands of the country. This report has also increased concern over packaged food safety.
Milk production in the country increased by 69 percent in the last 11 years
According to government data, milk production in the country will reach the highest level of 248 million tonnes in 2025. It has seen an increase of 69.4 percent in the last 11 years. Per capita milk availability in the country reached a record high of 485 grams per day. Whereas the global average is around 328 grams. According to another government report, India ranks first in milk production in the world and contributes 25 percent to global milk production.
Always buy milk from a reliable source and maintain cleanliness
According to Dr. Arvind Aggarwal, Director of the Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Shri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi, always buy milk from a trusted source and pay attention to the packing and expiry date. Boil milk thoroughly in a clean vessel. Heating destroys most of the harmful bacteria. After boiling, cover it or keep it in the refrigerator. Do not leave at room temperature for long periods. Do not consume milk if it smells bad or tastes bad.
Water adulteration found in 58 percent milk samples
Of the 330 milk samples tested some time ago by the Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 233 (70.6 per cent) were found to have one or more adulterants. Adulteration of water was found in 193 (58.5 percent) samples, detergent in 23.9 percent and urea in 9.1 percent samples. Adulteration of substances like neutralizer and arrowroot were also found in many samples. According to the latest milk surveillance report of FSSAI, about 47 percent of the samples of unpasteurized milk taken in North Indian states were found to be non-standard. In South India this figure was around 18 percent. About 23 percent of milk samples in Western India and about 13 percent of milk samples in Eastern India were found to be non-standard.
