A new study by researchers from the ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), the Royal Veterinary College, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and other institutions has identified significant food safety concerns across Hyderabad’s informal milk supply chain.
Conducted in the low-income neighbourhoods of Addagutta and Warasiguda, the study involved interviews with farmers, collection centre operators, wholesalers and retailers, alongside laboratory analysis of 42 raw milk samples, 24 cattle feed samples and 20 water samples. Researchers found that 90.5% of raw milk samples contained faecal coliform bacteria, 95.2% showed yeast and mould contamination, and 100% tested positive for bacterial growth under aerobic plate count analysis.
Salmonella was detected in 33% of samples, Staphylococcus aureus in nearly 31%, and E. coli in just under 12%, with contamination more common in cow’s milk than buffalo’s milk. Among water samples used for cleaning equipment and handling milk, 70% contained faecal coliforms, 60% had yeast and mould contamination, and 95% showed bacterial growth.
The study also highlighted financial pressures on dairy farmers, limited traceability, reliance on trust instead of routine quality testing, and reported practices such as the addition of water, urea and milk powder to milk by some respondents. Of the 24 cattle feed samples, 67% tested positive for aflatoxins, although all remained within Indian regulatory limits.
The researchers have called for stronger food safety enforcement, improved hygiene practices, enhanced consumer awareness and greater support for farmer cooperatives to strengthen milk safety and supply chain accountability. (thesouthfirst.com)
Source: Dairynews7x7 10 July, 2026 Read full story here
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