Executive Summary:
This document addresses concerns regarding adulterated milk production in India. It outlines the government's awareness of milk production versus demand, actions taken to combat fake milk, and the impact of adulterated milk on consumer health. The Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying provided the answers to the questions raised in Lok Sabha. Data from 2022-2025 regarding milk sample analysis, cases launched, convictions, and penalties imposed are included.
Key Points / Main Content:
Milk Production and Demand:
* In 2023-24, India's estimated milk production was 239.3 million tonnes.
* Rajasthan produced 34.73 million tonnes in 2023-24, making it the second-largest milk-producing state.
* Rajasthan's per capita milk availability was 1171 grams/day, compared to the national average of 471 grams/day in 2023-24.
* Milk production in India, including Rajasthan, is generally sufficient to meet demand.
Combating Adulterated Milk:
* The Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act 2006 unified food-related laws under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
* FSSAI sets science-based standards for food articles and regulates their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import.
* State Governments and Union Territory Administrations implement and enforce the FSS Act through Food Safety Commissioners.
* Milk and milk products are classified as high-risk under the Risk-Based Inspection System (RBIS).
* The National Annual Surveillance Plan (NASP) emphasizes risk-based sampling, with enforcement sampling following non-compliant results.
* Targeted enforcement and surveillance drives are conducted during peak and festive seasons.
* Special drives were conducted before Diwali in September 2024 and before Holi in February 2025.
Enforcement Activity and Penalties:
* Details of enforcement activities and penalties imposed for milk and milk products:
* 2022-23: 40874 Samples Analyzed, 10623 Cases Launched, 7381 Convictions, ₹24.30 Cr Penalty
* 2023-24: 41080 Samples Analyzed, 13288 Cases Launched, 8649 Convictions, ₹34.83 Cr Penalty
* 2024-25: 33405 Samples Analyzed, 12057 Cases Launched, 8815 Convictions, ₹36.72 Cr Penalty
Health Impact:
* The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, has not conducted specific studies on the impact of milk adulteration on public health.
Impact Analysis
FSSAI:
*Impact:* Responsible for setting standards, regulating milk and milk product safety, and ensuring safe food for human consumption.
*Action Required:* Continue implementing and enforcing the FSS Act, conduct risk-based sampling, and perform targeted enforcement drives.
State Governments and Union Territory Administrations:
*Impact:* Responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the FSS Act through Food Safety Commissioners.
*Action Required:* Carry out enforcement activities, address non-compliant samples, and impose penalties.
Consumers:
*Impact:* Directly affected by the safety and quality of milk and milk products.
*Action Required:* Be aware of potential adulteration and report any concerns to relevant authorities.
Milk Producers and Distributors:
*Impact:* Subject to regulations and inspections to ensure compliance with food safety standards.
*Action Required:* Adhere to FSSAI guidelines, ensure product safety, and cooperate with enforcement activities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The Indian government ministry responsible for matters related to fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying.
Rajasthan: A state in India, mentioned in the context of milk production and consumption.
Food Safety and Standards FSS Act 2006: An Indian law enacted to unify food-related laws and establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI: An authority established under the FSS Act 2006, responsible for setting science-based standards for food articles and regulating their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import.
National Annual Surveillance Plan NASP: A surveillance plan under which special emphasis is given to risk-based sampling of milk and milk products.
RiskBased Inspection System RBIS: A system under which Milk and milk products are classified as a highrisk food category.
Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR: An organization which has not conducted any specific studies evaluating the impact of milk adulteration on the health of the general public.
PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL: The Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3774
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12TH AUGUST 2025
ADULTERATED MILK PRODUCTION
3774 SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA:
WILL THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the actual production of milk in the country is in
proportion to the consumption and demand, particularly in the State of Rajasthan;
(b) if not, the data of milk production and demand during the last three years;
(c) whether it is true that when the production of milk is less than the demand, the illegal trade
of fake or adulterated milk and milk products increases;
(d) if so, the number of cases related to fake or adulterated milk along with the concrete steps
taken by the Government to prevent such cases during the last three years;
(e) the impact of fake or adulterated milk on the health of consumers along with the major
diseases related to it; and
(f) whether the Government has any data of people suffering from this, if so, the details thereof
during the said period?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)
(a)&(b) The estimate of milk production in the country during 2023-24 is 239.3 million tonnes.
Rajasthan is the second largest milk producing state in the country with milk production of 34.73
million tonnes during 2023-24. The per capita availability of milk in Rajasthan is 1171 grams per day
as compared to national per capita availability of 471 gram per day during 2023-24. The milk
production in the country and particularly in Rajasthan is by and large sufficient to meet the demand.
(c) Does not arise in view of above.
(d) The Government of India enacted Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act- 2006 to unify food
related laws and establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The FSSAI
sets science-based standards for food articles and regulates their manufacture, storage, distribution,
sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. The
implementation and enforcement of FSS Act are carried out by FSSAI through Food Safety
Commissioners of State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. As informed by FSSAI,
Milk and milk products are classified as a high-risk food category under the Risk-Based Inspection
System (RBIS). Under the National Annual Surveillance Plan (NASP), special emphasis is given to
risk-based sampling. If any non-conformities are detected during surveillance, enforcement sampling
is subsequently carried out on the non-compliant samples to ensure evidence-based enforcement.
During peak and festive seasons, targeted enforcement and surveillance drives are conducted. In FY
2024–25, special drives were conducted prior to the festive seasons—in September 2024 beforeDiwali, and in February 2025 before Holi. The detail of enforcement activity undertaken and penalty
imposed in last 03 years in respect of Milk & Milk Products:
Year No of Sample No of Cases Convictions Penalty amount
Analyzed Launched and Penalties imposed (in Cr.)
2022-23 40874 10623 7381 24.30
2023-24 41080 13288 8649 34.83
2024-25 33405 12057 8815 36.72
(e) and (f) As informed by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), M/o Health & FW, they
have not conducted any specific studies evaluating the impact of milk adulteration on the health of
the general public.
***