Maharashtra is considering a tougher legal approach to organised food adulteration, with authorities exploring the use of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against networks involved in adulterating milk, paneer, dairy products and other food items.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed officials to examine invoking MCOCA against those involved in systematic adulteration during a review meeting at Sahyadri Guest House on the state’s targets under the Viksit Maharashtra 2047 initiative for 2026–27.
The meeting was attended by Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Minister of State for Law and Judiciary Ashish Jaiswal, Minister of State for Home, Food and Drug Administration Yogesh Kadam, and FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
Focus on Organised Adulteration
Shinde said food adulteration should not be treated merely as a routine regulatory violation when it is carried out systematically for profit and poses a serious risk to public health.
Milk and dairy products received particular attention because they are consumed regularly, including by children.
The proposed use of MCOCA would represent a significant escalation in the state’s approach. The legislation is intended to address organised crime and continuing unlawful activity, although its application requires authorities to establish specific statutory conditions.
Specialised Legal Team Planned
Alongside stronger enforcement, the government is focusing on ensuring that cases against alleged adulterators can withstand judicial scrutiny.
Shinde directed the government to establish a specialised legal team comprising experienced and senior lawyers. The objective is to strengthen cases and minimise the possibility of prosecutions failing because of technical or procedural shortcomings.
The move comes as Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration continues to increase enforcement against adulterated milk, non-standardised dairy analogues and other food products.
Crackdown on Fake and Non-Dairy Paneer
The proposed action follows growing concerns over the production and sale of fake or non-dairy paneer in the state.
Maharashtra has already taken regulatory action against non-dairy paneer, reflecting concerns over products being sold or supplied as conventional dairy paneer without adequate disclosure.
For consumers, the issue is particularly significant because adulterated or misrepresented dairy products can differ substantially in composition from genuine milk-based products.
From Raids to Sustainable Prosecutions
The government’s latest approach goes beyond conducting inspections and making seizures. Authorities are now looking at how enforcement cases can be converted into legally sustainable prosecutions.
Under MCOCA, investigators must establish the legal requirements necessary to classify an activity as organised crime. The law also defines an organised crime syndicate in terms of a group of two or more persons involved in organised criminal activity.
This means that raids and arrests alone may not be sufficient. Investigators will need to establish evidence of organised and continuing activity that meets the requirements of the legislation.
What It Means for Maharashtra’s Dairy Sector
The proposed crackdown could have wider implications for Maharashtra’s dairy industry, particularly for milk processors, paneer manufacturers, distributors and retailers.
Stronger enforcement could increase pressure on businesses to maintain proper sourcing, processing, labelling and traceability systems. At the same time, legitimate dairy businesses could benefit if organised adulteration networks are effectively disrupted.
For consumers, the ultimate measure of the initiative will be whether authorities can dismantle organised adulteration networks rather than simply taking action against individual offenders.
