The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a nationwide advisory directing independent milk producers and milk vendors to obtain mandatory registration or licences before conducting food business operations. The move is aimed at strengthening food safety compliance, curbing milk adulteration, and improving traceability within India’s fragmented milk supply chain.
Under the advisory, milk producers who are not members of dairy cooperative societies and vendors selling milk directly in the market must register with FSSAI or obtain the appropriate food business licence. Producers who are registered members of dairy cooperatives and supply their entire milk output exclusively to the cooperative are exempt from the requirement.
Addressing gaps in compliance
According to the regulator, several independent milk producers and vendors are currently operating without valid registration or licences, despite such approvals being mandatory under India’s food safety framework. FSSAI noted that this regulatory gap poses challenges for monitoring product quality, enforcing standards, and ensuring consumer protection.
By bringing these operators under the formal regulatory system, the authority aims to enhance accountability across the milk value chain and improve oversight of small-scale and informal market participants.
Triggered by recent adulteration incidents
The advisory comes amid growing concerns over milk adulteration and unsafe dairy products reported in different parts of the country. A recent incident in East Godavari district highlighted the risks associated with an unregulated milk supply.
In February, 13 people reportedly died, and 11 others were hospitalised after allegedly consuming adulterated milk in the district. The cases first surfaced on February 22 when several elderly residents developed severe symptoms, including anuria, vomiting, abdominal pain, and acute renal dysfunction requiring dialysis. The affected individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The incident has renewed scrutiny of milk safety practices and the need for stronger regulatory enforcement at the grassroots level.
Verification and enforcement measures
To ensure compliance with the new directive, FSSAI has instructed designated officers, central licensing authorities, and food safety officers to verify whether milk producers and vendors possess valid registration certificates or licences.
Enforcement officials have also been directed to conduct periodic inspections of milk chillers and storage facilities used by producers and vendors. Maintaining appropriate storage temperatures and hygienic handling conditions is critical for preventing spoilage, contamination, and quality deterioration in milk.
Special registration drives across states
In addition to enforcement checks, FSSAI has asked state governments and union territories to organise special registration drives to bring unregistered producers and vendors into the regulatory framework. The initiative aims to improve compliance while providing smaller operators with the opportunity to formalise their businesses.
The authority has also reiterated its earlier instructions for regular enforcement drives targeting milk and milk products. States are required to submit action-taken reports to the regulator twice a month, specifically by the 15th and the last day of each month, outlining progress in inspections, registrations, and compliance measures.
Strengthening transparency in the milk supply chain
The latest directive reflects a broader push by FSSAI to strengthen traceability, improve regulatory oversight, and protect consumers in one of the world’s largest dairy markets. Bringing independent milk producers and vendors under formal registration is expected to enhance monitoring of milk quality and reinforce safety standards across the country’s diverse dairy ecosystem.
