The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued comprehensive compliance orders covering the entire milk supply chain from farm to table, following consultations with milk producers and manufacturers. According to FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, as reported by PTI, the department conducted training programmes for industry personnel on food safety standards and precautionary measures before implementing the new regulations. The fresh guidelines cover every stage of the supply chain, including milk collection centres, cooling units, pasteurisation and homogenisation facilities, ultra-high temperature treatment plants, packaging and filling stations, distributors, wholesalers, loose milk vendors, automatic vending machine operators, manufacturers of milk products and retailers. "Earlier, compliance orders were issued for hotels. Similarly, we have now issued orders for milk and milk products. Regulations applicable to the entire chain -- from farm to table -- have been compiled into compliance guidelines," Mundhe told reporters, emphasizing that these orders are not meant to ban any establishment but to ensure compliance with food safety standards.
The FDA has implemented stringent penalties for various violations in the milk sector, with offences such as operating without registration or licences, misleading advertisements, making false claims and milk adulteration attracting penalties of up to ₹10 lakh. As reported by PTI, FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe emphasized that the department would impose maximum permissible fines to act as a deterrent against illegal practices. The enhanced penalty structure covers violations including adulteration, fraudulent claims, and illicit operations, representing a significant increase in penalties to ensure compliance with food safety standards.
Under the new compliance orders, all establishments must carry out mandatory hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) assessments and update them regularly. According to the compliance orders, license holders must ensure effective pest control measures and use food-grade stainless steel utensils, storage tanks and equipment that can be cleaned easily. All entities involved in milk procurement and transportation must maintain records of registered operators, while milk tankers must undergo cleanliness checks with authorities reporting failed inspections to the FDA. Both transporters and businesses receiving supplies through them would be held equally accountable if violations are detected.
The new compliance framework affects the entire milk supply chain in Maharashtra, covering both whole milk and milk products with comprehensive regulatory coverage. As reported by PTI, the FDA's action represents a comprehensive approach to addressing milk safety concerns through standardized regulations. The unified regulatory approach is designed to ensure consistent enforcement across all milk-related operations in the state, with the department maintaining its commitment to cancel licences of establishments found submitting fake pest control certificates, as previously demonstrated in the hospitality sector. "Such establishments would face cancellation of their licences," Mundhe warned, referring to earlier action against hotels and eateries that submitted fake pest control certificates to mislead the department.
