Maharashtra FDA Rolls Out Stricter Milk Supply Chain Rules; Tukaram Mundhe Warns Violators
Maharashtra FDA Rolls Out Stricter Milk Supply Chain Rules; Tukaram Mundhe Warns Violators
Pune, July 4: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has announced a series of stringent measures to improve the quality of dairy products and safeguard public health. Addressing a press conference on Friday, he said compliance with Critical Control Point (CCP) protocols and food-grade standards during milk collection, storage and processing is now mandatory for everyone involved in the dairy supply chain.
Mundhe warned that dairy units found violating these norms or merely showing compliance on paper will face strict action, including suspension of licences, cancellation of registration and criminal prosecution.
He stressed that implementing the Critical Control Point (CCP) system is essential to maintain milk quality throughout processing. If milk fails to meet prescribed standards at any stage, the process must be stopped immediately and the substandard milk rejected to prevent it from entering the supply chain.
The FDA has also made it compulsory for all equipment that comes into direct contact with milk—including pipelines, storage tanks, utensils and processing machinery—to be made only from certified food-grade, non-toxic and corrosion-resistant materials such as food-grade stainless steel. All such equipment must support Cleaning in Place (CIP) to ensure proper sanitation.
To strengthen food safety, the FDA has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against rodents, insects and other pest infestations at milk collection centres and processing units. Dairy establishments must carry out regular pest control through registered pest control agencies.
Mundhe noted that while similar directions were earlier issued to hotels and restaurants, some establishments were found producing fake or temporary pest-control certificates without carrying out actual treatment. Such fraudulent practices will now invite strict legal action. He clarified that the objective of these measures is not to intimidate businesses but to protect consumers’ health and ensure full regulatory compliance.
The FDA has further directed all milk collection centres and processing units to procure milk only from registered vendors to ensure complete traceability of its source. Operators must maintain accurate daily records of milk procured, quantities rejected for failing quality standards, and other relevant registers, which must be submitted to the administration as required.
