Almost 35% of milk samples were found to not be in compliance with standards.

New Delhi It was discovered that over 35% of the milk samples collected by the authorities for quality analysis did not meet the required level.

Almost 35% of milk samples were found to not be in compliance with standards.

3,399 milk samples out of a total of 9,717 were found to be non-conforming. According to data provided by the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industry, 3,399 milk samples out of a total of 9,717 that were examined by the relevant authorities in 2020–21 were found to be non–conforming. Authorities have collected Rs 6,62,12,595 in penalties after 524 instances were found guilty.

Similar to this, 4,779 out of a total of 12,538 samples examined in 2019–20 were determined to be compliant. In 688 cases, penalties totaling Rs 9,05,85,125 were collected after conviction.

According to the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 (FSS Act 2006), the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was created with the responsibility of establishing science-based standards for food products and enforcing laws governing their production, storage, distribution, sale, and import to guarantee the availability of wholesome, safe food for human consumption.

As per the FSSAI, the standards of milk are specified in sub-regulation 2.1.2 of Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, said a reply by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in the Rajya Sabha.

To check for adulterated food, surveillance of Food Business Operators (FBOs), including those engaged in sale and production of milk and milk products is conducted regularly at national level by FSSAI along with surveillance drives by the states/UTs as per their surveillance plans.

In case any substance is found which makes milk unsafe for consumption, penal action has been initiated against the defaulting FBOs by the Food Safety Officers of states/UTs as per the provisions of FSS Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations made thereunder, added the reply.

Tags: India Food