The Telangana dairy sector has raised serious concerns over the alleged misuse of the Vijaya Dairy brand by entities linked to Andhra Pradesh, claiming that the issue is affecting consumer trust and causing economic losses to local milk producers.
According to Gutta Amit Reddy, certain private operators are reportedly selling adulterated milk and ghee in Telangana under the Krishna Union–Vijaya Dairy branding. He alleged that a private company named Meghana has been marketing these products in the state, raising concerns over product authenticity and food safety.
Allegations of Adulterated Dairy Products
Reddy claimed that adulterated dairy products could pose serious risks to public health. He also stated that the issue began after the Andhra Pradesh government allegedly granted franchise rights to private entities for the sale of dairy products under the Vijaya brand.
According to the allegations, some ghee products sold under the brand were manufactured outside the region and distributed in Telangana markets. A report by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) reportedly found traces of vegetable oil in samples of ghee marketed under the label.
Reddy further claimed that nearly 100 tonnes of such ghee are sold every month in Hyderabad, raising concerns about product quality and regulatory oversight.
Federation Raises Market Confusion Concerns
The Telangana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation Limited (TGDDCF) has formally appealed to the Andhra Pradesh government to stop the unauthorised use of the Vijaya brand in Telangana.
Federation officials allege that more than 15,000 litres of low-quality milk packets bearing the Vijaya name enter Telangana daily, particularly into the Greater Hyderabad market. Many of these packets reportedly lack proper manufacturing details, packaging information and consumer grievance contacts.
This has led to confusion among consumers, many of whom assume the products belong to the Telangana cooperative network and subsequently lodge complaints with the state federation.
Impact on Farmers and Brand Identity
TGDDCF officials argue that the presence of similar packaging and branding by private franchise operators is eroding the identity of the Telangana Vijaya brand and affecting the livelihoods of local dairy farmers.
The federation currently procures milk from over 1,600 village cooperatives through more than 5,000 collection centres and operates multiple dairies and chilling centres across the state.
Officials emphasised that after the 2014 bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, both states began operating their dairy federations independently under separate administrative systems.
Legal Dispute Under Court Review
The question of ownership and usage rights of the Vijaya brand is currently under consideration before the Telangana High Court. Until a final ruling is issued, the federation has urged both states to respect operational jurisdictions.
Reddy warned that dairy farmers in Telangana are increasingly concerned about the situation and called on the Andhra Pradesh government to cancel franchise arrangements that allow private companies to sell products using the Vijaya brand in Telangana.
He also advised consumers to check packaging carefully and verify whether products carry the official “Vijaya Telangana” logo along with complete manufacturing details before making purchases.
