A nationwide food safety surveillance conducted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has revealed a concerning picture of the quality of milk and dairy products in the country. During the financial year 2025–26 (FY26), 14,668 out of 39,351 milk and dairy product samples tested were found to be non-conforming with prescribed food safety standards. This represents approximately 37.3% of all samples analysed.
The information was shared by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, alias Lalan Singh, in a written reply to a starred question in the Lok Sabha. The Minister also presented provisional findings from a nationwide survey conducted by State Food Safety Authorities based on data compiled by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Enforcement Action Against Violators
Authorities initiated extensive enforcement action against food business operators found to be violating quality standards. A total of 10,714 civil cases and 1,054 criminal cases were registered during FY26.
Of these, 9,783 civil cases resulted in penalties or convictions, while 204 criminal cases ended in convictions. Civil penalties amounted to approximately Rs. 34.37 crore, while criminal cases attracted fines of Rs. 34.51 lakh.
The government clarified that these figures are provisional and may change after laboratory re-testing, appeals and completion of judicial proceedings.
Non-Conforming Samples Increased
In the previous financial year (FY25), FSSAI tested 33,405 milk and dairy product samples, of which 12,780 were found to be non-conforming. During that year, 12,057 cases were registered against violators.
Compared with FY25, both the number of samples tested and the number of non-conforming samples increased in FY26.
India Remains World's Largest Milk Producer
The government informed Parliament that India continues to be the world's largest milk producer. Milk production increased from 146 million tonnes in 2014–15 to 248 million tonnes in 2024–25, representing an increase of nearly 69%.
According to the Ministry, around 37% of the milk produced in the country is consumed by dairy farming households themselves, while the remaining 63% enters the market.
Of the milk marketed, 32% is handled by the organised sector, including dairy cooperatives and private dairies, while 68% continues to be sold through the unorganised sector.
The government said it is making efforts to bring more dairy producers into the organised dairy network so that farmers can benefit from better market access, improved quality testing systems and reduced dependence on intermediaries. It added that several important initiatives have been undertaken to strengthen the dairy sector.