Over 14,600 milk and milk product samples found non-conforming
The government also shared provisional findings from a nationwide survey of milk and milk products conducted by State Food Safety Authorities, based on information provided by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
According to the data for FY 2025-26 (as on March 31, 2026):
- 39,351 milk and milk product samples were analysed.
- 14,668 samples were found non-conforming.
- 10,714 civil cases and 1,054 criminal cases were launched.
- 9,783 civil penalties/convictions and 204 criminal convictions were recorded.
- Civil penalties worth Rs 34,37,16,477 and criminal penalties totalling Rs 34,51,000 were imposed.
The ministry noted that the figures are provisional and may be revised following further laboratory testing, appeals and court proceedings.
Government highlights efforts to strengthen the dairy sector
The government said India remains the world’s largest milk producer, with output increasing from 146 million metric tonnes in 2014-15 to 248 million metric tonnes in 2024-25, an increase of about 69 per cent.
According to the ministry, around 37 per cent of the country’s milk production is consumed by dairy farmers, while the remaining 63 per cent reaches the market. Of this marketable surplus, 32 per cent is handled by organised cooperatives and private dairies, while 68 per cent continues to be marketed through the unorganised sector.
The government said it is taking steps to bring more milk producers into the organised dairy network to improve market access, strengthen quality assurance and reduce the role of intermediaries.
By March 2026, the government had:
- Established 36,283 new Dairy Cooperative Societies at the village level.
- Strengthened 31,150 existing dairy cooperative societies.
- Created about 168 lakh litres per day of milk chilling capacity.
- Distributed 76,748 milk quality testing devices.
- Approved projects with a total milk processing capacity of 418 lakh litres per day to boost value addition.
The ministry said these initiatives are aimed at improving milk procurement, quality testing, processing infrastructure and market access for dairy farmers across the country.