Key Update

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is planning a digital system to trace milk from the farm to collection centres in an effort to tackle recurring milk adulteration across the State. The proposed system will digitise milk collection records and link them to individual milch animals, allowing authorities to compare the quantity of milk collected with the expected output of animals in a particular area.

As per Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the initiative is currently in its early stages. The FDA is preparing a detailed project report, after which the portal will be developed and tested before its rollout.

Linking Milk Collection With Livestock Data

Under the proposed system, milk collection centres will have to upload their data to an FDA-managed portal in real time. The FDA will then compare these records with livestock information available through the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM).

The NDLM already maintains digital records of tagged livestock, including milch animals and their average milk output. By comparing this information with the quantities reported by collection centres, the FDA could identify unusual differences and flag locations that require further inspection.

The combined data will remain accessible to the FDA at the backend and will not be available to front-end users. The department expects this system to provide a clearer picture of milk production and movement through the supply chain.

Tracing Milk to Its Source

Mundhe identified tracing milk back to the animal that produced it as one of the biggest challenges in tackling adulteration. India’s existing animal-tagging system could help make this possible.

Under the system, animals receive identification tags, while farmers update information about their livestock digitally. The FDA plans to use these records alongside milk collection data to establish a stronger link between milk production at the farm level and the quantities entering the supply chain.

The project report is currently under preparation and is expected to be submitted in the coming months. The FDA will then need to develop and test the system before putting it into operation.

Improving Milk Collection and Chilling

The FDA is also addressing another factor that can contribute to milk adulteration: delays in collection and chilling.

Freshly milked milk should reach a chilling centre within two hours. When milk remains unchilled for longer, its acidity increases, which can lead to the use of neutralisers. Operators may also add water to increase volume or other substances to artificially raise the fat content.

Mundhe pointed out that dairies that collect milk only once a day can leave milk produced during the night without timely chilling. To address this gap, the Maharashtra FDA has directed dairies to collect milk before 8 a.m. and is also pushing for twice-daily collection.

However, inadequate chilling infrastructure remains a challenge. Ensuring that milk reaches a chilling centre promptly and is cooled below 4°C within two hours of collection can help prevent the conditions that encourage adulteration.

By combining digital traceability with better collection practices and cold-chain management, the Maharashtra FDA aims to tackle milk adulteration closer to its source rather than relying solely on testing after the milk has entered the supply chain.

Source: The Hindu