The Indian Army has rejected an entire consignment of ~125 metric tonnes (MT) of whole milk powder supplied by Punjab’s state-run dairy cooperative Milkfed under its Verka brand, after two batches failed quality checks. The rejection was communicated by an Army Service Corps unit based in Jammu to the Ludhiana District Cooperative Milk Producers Union, specifying that one batch of 58.338 MT and another of 66.654 MT did not meet prescribed standards.
Samples from the consignment reportedly failed inspection, with concerns including the presence of extraneous matter, prompting the Army to decline the supply and inform the Ministry of Defence’s purchase and food inspection authorities.
Milkfed Managing Director Rahul Gupta stated that the cooperative maintains strict quality protocols, with products tested in NABL-accredited laboratories before dispatch, and emphasized that supplies to the Army have continued for decades without major issues. He confirmed that a fact-finding committee has been set up to investigate the rejection, and the samples will undergo further testing at the CALF laboratory in Gujarat.
The development has triggered political reactions, with opposition leaders questioning quality control and governance, calling the rejection a serious concern for public health and accountability, especially as similar products are available in the consumer market.
Source: Dairynews7x7 27th March, 2026 Read full story here
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