The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had conducted a nationwide survey on milk adulteration in 2011 through its five regional offices. A total of 1791 samples were drawn from 33 states and were tested in the Government laboratories. 68.4% of the samples were found to be non-conforming to the prescribed standards. Out of these samples, in 46.8% samples, milk found to be sub-standard in respect of Fat and Solid Not Fat (SNF) contents. Another 44.69% of the samples (548) in respect of skim milk powder were found to be non-conforming to the prescribed standards where presence of glucose was detected in 477 samples. A total of 103 samples (5.75%) were found to be adulterated with detergents.
The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provides for graded penalties including life imprisonment. However, implementation and enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules & Regulations made thereunder primarily rests with State/UT Governments. Random samples of food items are drawn by the State Food Safety Officers and are sent to the laboratories recognized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for analysis. In cases, where samples are found to be not conforming to the provisions of the Act and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder, penal action is initiated against the offender. The State/UT Governments have been requested by the Department of Health and Family Welfare on 07.01.2015 to finalize State wide Action Plan to draw and test samples of milk products at regular intervals.
The Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Shri J P Nadda stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
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