The recent bust of a synthetic milk manufacturing unit in Gujarat’s Sabarkantha district has once again exposed deep vulnerabilities in India’s dairy safety and enforcement framework. Acting on specific intelligence, officials from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) raided a facility that had allegedly been producing and distributing adulterated milk and buttermilk for nearly five years.
During the operation, authorities seized and destroyed 1,370 litres of unsafe milk, uncovering a sophisticated adulteration process that relied heavily on industrial chemicals and powders rather than genuine dairy inputs.
How Synthetic Milk Entered The Supply Chain
Investigators revealed that the unit used as little as 300 litres of real milk to manufacture nearly 1,700–1,800 litres of imitation milk daily. To simulate the appearance, viscosity and protein content of milk, the operators reportedly used:
- Urea fertiliser
- Detergent powder
- Caustic soda
- Refined palm and soybean oils
- Whey powder and skimmed milk powder
The finished product was packed in pouches and sold as milk and buttermilk across Sabarkantha and Mehsana districts, indicating prolonged exposure risks for unsuspecting consumers.
Scale Of The Seizure
At the facility, officials seized:
- 1,962 litres of adulterated milk
- Over 1,100 litres of adulterated buttermilk
- Raw materials and chemicals valued at nearly ₹71 lakh
The unit, operating under the name Shree Satya Dairy Products, was sealed immediately, with samples sent for laboratory testing to establish the full extent of contamination.
Public Health And Trust Deficit
The use of substances such as urea and detergents raises serious public health concerns. Long-term consumption of such adulterants can damage kidneys, disrupt metabolic functions, and cause gastrointestinal and systemic health issues. Beyond health risks, repeated incidents of synthetic milk production undermine consumer trust in the dairy sector, particularly in informal and semi-organised markets where testing infrastructure remains weak.
Enforcement Versus Deterrence
While swift action by FSSAI is notable, experts argue that recurring adulteration cases point to enforcement gaps rather than isolated criminal activity. Key concerns include:
- Inadequate surveillance of small and mid-sized dairy units
- Weak deterrence despite stringent penalties on paper
- Limited field-level testing capacity
- Poor traceability in informal milk distribution networks
The fact that the unit allegedly operated undetected for years suggests systemic blind spots in regulatory monitoring.
Implications For India’s Dairy Economy
India’s position as the world’s largest milk producer rests heavily on consumer confidence. Persistent adulteration scandals risk eroding this trust, affecting not only domestic consumption but also the country’s ambitions in value-added dairy exports.
Experts stress the need for:
- Real-time milk testing at procurement points
- Stronger coordination between food safety, police and local administrations
- Digital traceability across the milk supply chain
- Greater consumer awareness and whistle-blower protection
