Food Safety Checks Reveal Quality Violations
The Food Safety Department in Coimbatore has warned consumers to stay alert while buying milk and dairy products from local stalls. Recent laboratory tests found 30 milk product samples to be substandard or misbranded. Officials have started legal action against the manufacturers involved.
Over 200 Samples Tested in Seven Months
Over the last seven months, the department collected more than 200 milk and milk product samples across the district. Officials focused on checking the impact of antibiotics given to cattle and overall product quality. The samples included commonly consumed items such as paneer, sweets, and ice cream.
Routine Surveillance to Curb Adulteration
Food safety teams regularly collect milk and dairy samples to detect contaminants. These include detergents, antibiotics, pesticides, heavy metals, and melamine. Authorities conduct such drives throughout the year and intensify them during periods of high demand. The goal remains to protect consumers and enforce food safety standards.
FSSAI Pushes Nationwide Enforcement
The Coimbatore inspections follow a recent directive from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The regulator asked all states and Union Territories to launch a special enforcement drive against adulterated milk and milk products. The move came after officials uncovered large-scale counterfeit dairy operations in parts of northern India producing fake synthetic milk.
Findings from Coimbatore Inspections
According to Dr T Anuradha, Designated Officer of the Food Safety Department, Coimbatore, officials began intensive inspections in May 2025. Teams collected samples from 215 dairy units that produce and supply milk and milk products in the district. Laboratories analysed all samples.
“The results showed violations in 30 samples. Among them, 18 were misbranded, and 12 were substandard, meaning they failed to meet quality norms. We have started probes against the violators, and legal action will follow,” Dr Anuradha said.
No Evidence of Synthetic Milk Detected
Dr Anuradha clarified that inspectors did not find serious violations. The tests did not detect synthetic milk, full adulteration, or excessive antibiotic residues. However, officials stressed that regular monitoring remains necessary to maintain consumer trust and ensure dairy safety.
