Milk Under Fire: Sec DAHD Calls Out Vegan Agenda, Defends Dairy Amid Rising Propaganda

Anand, Gujarat – In a powerful statement at the opening of the ICAR Annual Conference & IDF/ISO Analytical Week 2025, Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, addressed growing concerns over a “well-orchestrated” misinformation campaign targeting milk consumption in India.

Speaking to national and international delegates at the NDDB headquarters in Anand, Upadhyaya criticized the rising popularity of analogue dairy products — plant-based alternatives marketed under the vegan label — which she said are part of a larger campaign sowing doubts about milk, especially among the youth.

“Every Indian has grown up drinking milk without issues like lactose intolerance. Yet today, there’s a push to discredit milk, often under the guise of veganism,” she remarked.

Upadhyaya urged dairy stakeholders to improve milk quality and transparency as a direct counter to what she called “misleading narratives.” She also reassured the audience about the low prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Indian milk, noting it is nearly at par with stringent European standards.

Milk vs. Analogues: A Battle of Perception

Dairy analogues — which use vegetable fats instead of milk fat — are gaining traction amid shifting consumer preferences. But many of these products are unbranded and can confuse consumers. NDDB Chairman Dr. Meenesh Shah warned that without stricter regulation and branding, consumers may not distinguish real dairy from its plant-based counterparts.

“The best way to protect consumers and uphold quality is to bring more milk into the organized sector,” Shah stated.

Shah also announced that Amul, India’s largest dairy brand, is preparing to launch a nationwide social media campaign to promote the health and nutritional benefits of milk, combating misinformation with fact-based awareness.

Upadhyaya noted that some nutritionists have already taken up the cause to educate the public about milk’s benefits, a move she said must be amplified across the industry.