The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cracked an organised milk adulteration network in Pune district, uncovering the use of detergent and Nonylphenol Ethoxylate in milk samples.
The investigation, launched as part of a special campaign against milk and milk-product adulteration, began in the Manchar area of Pune district following confidential information about the supply and use of substances to prepare synthetic or adulterated milk.
On July 4, a joint team of the FDA and Pune Rural Police’s Local Crime Branch raided M/s Navkar Distributors in Bhoramala, Avasari Khurd, in Ambegaon taluka. Officials found various types of whey powder, whey permeate powder, detergent, emulsifier and other substances suspected to be used for adulterating milk.
Samples and stocks bearing names including Sonai, Mlekpol, Prabhat Dairy, Milky Mist, Paras and Govardhan were collected and seized. Detergent, emulsifier and whey powder suspected to be adulterants were also seized. A case, Crime No. 215/2026, was subsequently registered at Manchar Police Station.
During questioning, the main accused allegedly revealed the method used for adulteration. According to the FDA, skimmed milk powder was used to increase solids-not-fat (SNF), whey powder to increase protein-related components, edible oil to raise fat content, and emulsifiers and detergent to facilitate mixing of different components.
The probe was then expanded to suppliers and stockists of these substances, as well as milk collection and chilling centres and other establishments in the supply chain.
A major finding came from the analysis of an emulsifier sample collected during the investigation. The FDA laboratory detected Nonylphenol Ethoxylate in the sample.
The probe also found the chemical in milk samples. On July 6, officials inspected M/s Akash Dairy Farm in Manchar, Ambegaon, where milk from M/s Pirsai Milk and Milk Product and other dairies was allegedly being packed and sold.
Six milk samples were collected and sent for analysis. According to the FDA laboratory report dated September 28, all six samples tested positive for detergent. A supplementary report also detected Alphox-200 Ethoxylate, identified as Nonylphenol Ethoxylate, in all six samples.
The samples were also found to have fat and SNF levels below the prescribed standards, the FDA said.
The investigation has also been extended to the milk processing chain. According to the FDA, the adulterated milk was prima facie linked to M/s Indapur Dairy and Milk Products Ltd, also known as Sonai Dairy, at Gokhali in Indapur, with the supply chain from suppliers to milk collection and processing centres being traced.
The FDA has registered two more cases in Malshiras as part of the wider crackdown. A total of 16,730 litres of milk, valued at around Rs 6.69 lakh, was destroyed during the action.
The department said the investigation is continuing to identify all persons and establishments involved in the network, from suppliers of adulterating substances to milk collection, chilling and processing centres.
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