In India, milk and milk derivatives have long been a staple of the diet. Although in high demand, this product is frequently marketed in adulterated or otherwise low-quality forms. Milk and dairy products across India will be scrutinised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in an effort to reduce the prevalence of adulteration. It's part of FSSAI's continuous attempt to rein in the proliferation of contaminants and malfeasance. Here is the full story.
India and its annual milk consumption
According to the statistics, almost half of the Indian population (48.1%) consume milk or curd regularly. According to data collected in the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), published in March this year, milk and curd consumption is greater in the south. Even though Haryana and Punjab have the largest availability of milk per capita, they are the least likely to use it. With a daily consumption rate of 427 g, India's milk consumption is much higher than the global average of 305 g. The surging demand for milk and other dairy products can be attributed to India's rapidly urbanising population and rising standard of living. Population growth is a significant factor in the demand for fluid milk. Almost a third of the Indian population is under the age of 14, and research shows that younger people have a greater propensity to consume milk.
Mandate by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
In a statement released on Thursday, the country's primary food regulator under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that samples will be collected from the organised and unorganised sectors in all of the districts of the States/UTs as part of the Pan-India surveillance. In its many forms (from fresh fluid to processed dairy products), milk plays an essential part in the country's culinary tradition. Milk provides both of these crucial elements. Milk and other dairy products are staples in the diets of people of all ages. "The key growth drivers for milk and high-value milk products in India are changing lifestyle patterns and increasing health consciousness," FSSAI added. Food safety authorities will inspect milk products such as khoa, chenna, paneer, ghee, butter, curd, and ice cream.
Freshly made chenna, Image Source: Pexels
Quality-control measures initiative
This study attempts to evaluate the quality of milk and milk products offered in the country to ensure that the government can continue its responsibility of facilitating safe and healthy food for human consumption. The goal is to ensure that all FSSR-mandated quality and safety standards are met. According to FSSAI, this research will pinpoint potential hotspots for milk and milk product adulteration and assist in formulating plans for moving forward. Milk was included in FSSAI's several PAN India Surveys on commodities, with sample sizes of 1,791 and 1,663 in 2011 and 2016, respectively.
Previous surveys of quality
The quality study is conducted on a regular basis to monitor national milk quality. In 2018, every state and territory in the Union participated in the National Milk Safety and Quality Survey. From 1,103 cities with populations above 50,000, a total of 6,432 milk samples were obtained, representing both the organised and unorganised sectors.
To learn in length about the state of food safety in India, especially around festive times like Diwali and Holi, FSSAI conducted the Pan-India Milk Products Survey in 2020. Samples totalling 2,801 were taken from the organised and unorganised milk production in 542 different areas. Paneer, khoa, chhena, and sweets made with khoa and chhena were all part of the assortment.