On December 16, 2025, the Food Standard Security Authority of India (FSSAI) started a special drive across the states and UTs to prevent adulteration of milk, cheese, and khoya. It is a result of increasing health risks for consumers and fake dairy products in the market. This drive has been issued under Section 16 (5) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, empowering FSSAI to implement measures in the interest of customers.
As per the official sources,
“The Special Enforcement Drive against adulteration and misbranding of milk and milk products, including paneer and khoya, has been launched following multiple reports of unsafe, illegally manufactured dairy products posing serious public health risks.”
Milk and milk products are used every day in almost every household. Even a small amount of adulteration has a big impact. Artificial cheese, chemically mixed khoya or low-quality milk; these have now become a big problem. This will directly impact dairy manufacturers, wholesalers, shopkeepers, hotels, restaurants, and catering businesses. Now, it has become more important than ever to follow the rules for those involved in the food business.
If you’re in a food business, it’s high time to know the measures taken by the FSSAI authority to cut down the adulteration of milk products. Getting an FSSAI license is not optional; it’s mandatory.
Legal Basis for the FSSAIs Enforcement Drive
FSSAI has issued this order under Section 16(5) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. They can take immediate action in the interest of public health in emergencies.
Recently, several cases of adulteration of milk and milk products have been detected in different states. In many cases, these products are coming to the market from illegal and unlicensed units.
Based on the reports, FSSAI has asked all states and union territories to take strict action. Such drives were conducted earlier during the festival, but this time the drive is being carried out on a larger scale and with more rigor.
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Scope of FSSAIs Nationwide Drive
FSSAIs special drive was carried out in all states and union territories of the country. It aims to increase surveillance in the entire supply chain of milk and milk products.
This drive covers
Products to be tested: Milk, paneer, khoya and all milk products related to them
Applicable to:
- FSSAI-licensed and registered businesses
- Illegal dairy units operating without a license
Stages to be monitored:
- Production
- Storage
- Transportation
Wholesale and retail
Whether it is a small shop or a large unit, everyone involved in dairy products will come under this drive.
Inspection & Sampling Process
In a special drive by FSSAI, the inspection process will be much more active, strict, and systematic than before. Let’s follow the process-
- Extensive Inspections
The State Food Safety Department and the FSSAI Regional Office will jointly inspect manufacturing units, warehouses, shops, hotels, and restaurants.
- License Verification
During the inspection, the FSSAI license or registration will be checked first.
- Sample Collection
Enforcement samples of milk, cheese, and khoya will be collected according to prescribed rules to avoid any future disputes.
- Lab Testing
The samples will be sent to accredited laboratories where quality and adulteration tests will be conducted.
- Role of Food Safety Officer
The officers will document the entire process and may request additional information or documents if needed.
Read more – 10 Key Factors to Consider before Opening a Restaurant
How Can Businesses Prepare for Inspections?
To avoid problems during an FSSAI inspection, the following points should be addressed beforehand:
- Audit your suppliers
Verify the FSSAI license, registration number, and lab test reports of your milk, paneer, or khoya suppliers.
- Maintain basic testing at your own level.
Checking the density of milk with a lactometer is a small but effective step.
- Train your staff
Staff should be aware of how samples are taken and what documents need to be shown when a food safety officer arrives.
- Maintain traceability records
Keep written records of invoices, supplier details, dates, and quantities for each batch. Keep your Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) profile updated.
- Regularly updating business details: Keep address, activities, and contact information of your business up to date to reduce the unnecessary complications.
What are the key violations to avoid in the food business?
FSSAI considers certain violations as the most serious in this campaign. As an FBO, it is crucial to avoid the following:
- Selling adulterated milk: Adulterating milk with urea, starch, detergent, artificial colors, or chemicals is a serious offence. These directly harm public health.
- Selling counterfeit paneer or khoya: In many places, paneer and khoya are being made with synthetic milk solids, starch, or non-dairy fats. Selling these as genuine dairy products is legally prohibited.
- Purchasing products from unverified suppliers: Procuring products from suppliers who do not have an FSSAI license or test reports is a major risk.
- Operating without a license: Conducting business in dairy products without a valid FSSAI license or registration is a direct violation of the law.
- Special responsibility for the hospitality sector: The use of adulterated paneers in hotels, restaurants, QSRs, or catering units is strictly prohibited. Punitive action will be taken if caught.
What Kind of Penalties Can Result from Non-compliance?
If any irregularities are found during the inspection, FSSAI can take strict action. These penalties have long-term consequences.
Seizure of Adulterated or Unsafe Food: Suspicious or failed products may be seized immediately.
License Suspension or Cancellation: In serious cases, the FSSAI license may be suspended or completely cancelled.
Closure of Illegal Units: Units operating without a license may be sealed and shut down.
Product Recall from the Market: Orders may be issued to recall and destroy adulterated products.
Legal Penalties: Fines and other punitive measures are taken according to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Such incidents damage the business’s reputation and lead to significant financial losses. Penalties may include product seizure, license cancellation, unit closure, and removal and destruction of products from the market.
Enforcement Actions and Reporting Requirements
State authorities have been instructed to take immediate and strict action in cases where samples fail the tests. Information on every inspection and action must be regularly uploaded to the FoSCoS portal so it can be analyzed by the FSSAI headquarters.
Additionally, instructions have been given to submit enforcement reports once every fifteen days. Coordination among states is being enhanced to prevent the interstate movement of adulterated food products.
The Commissioner of Food Safety and the FSSAI Regional Directors have been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring this entire process.
How Can Food Business Operators Comply with Regulations?
Adhering to regulations is the greatest security for food business operators during this time. Here are a few important things that help to avoid many problems by paying attention –
- Firstly, check if your FSSAI license or registration is valid. Renew it without delay. This is very important.
- Secondly, buy milk and dairy products only from reliable suppliers. It’s a good practice to check the supplier’s FSSAI number and test reports.
- Thirdly, keep all purchase and sales records like invoices, dates, quantities, in written or digital format.
- Fourthly, maintain simple quality checks at your premises. This helps in detecting problems early.
- Fifthly, train your staff in the regulations. Everyone needs to know about cleanliness and rules and regulations.
- Finally, always be prepared for inspections. Keep necessary documents readily available.
Overall Impact on FBOs and Opportunities Ahead
The first impact of this crackdown is on the reputation of the business. Once an FBO is accused of adulteration, the trust of the buyer is quickly lost. Trust is not easy to regain.
In many businesses, problems can also arise in the supply chain. If you exclude suppliers who do not comply with the rules, you have to find new sources. This temporarily increases costs and slows down work.
Although compliance costs increase slightly, it also has its advantages. Those who clearly follow the rules can set themselves apart. Many buyers are looking for “pure and certified” products today.
The previous festive campaign in September-October showed that dairies and restaurants were prepared in advance and benefited. Regular buyers trusted them more.
Such campaigns ultimately create opportunities to enter the premium market. If there is good quality and transparency, it is easier to grow the business in the long run.
To Wrap Up
The FSSAI campaign starts with goodwill. Its fundamental purpose is to provide safe food to people and build trust in the market.
This is an opportunity to demonstrate their credibility for those who conduct their business according to the rules. Problems can arise when regulations are not taken seriously.
Maintaining licenses, paperwork, and quality standards in advance reduces the fear of fines or license cancellation.
Many businesses seek professional help during this time. Corpbiz assists with FSSAI licensing, compliance audits, FSSAI annual return filing, documentation, FSSAI product approval, FoSCoS work, and communication with authorities. We make running a business easier without unnecessary stress.
Top Questions Regarding Food Businesses
Why has a nationwide drive been launched against adulteration of milk, paneer and khoya?
Several cases of adulteration of milk and milk products have been detected in different states. Test reports and intelligence information reveal many unsafe products. These adulterations are risky for human health. In this situation, FSSAI has started a strict drive across the country to take immediate action in the public interest.
Which dairy products are tested more during inspections?
Generally, liquid milk, paneer, khoya and products made from them are tested more during inspections. Because the risk of adulteration in these products is relatively high. Apart from this, attention is also paid to whether the storage method, expiration date and labeling are correct.
What documents are usually asked for during food safety inspections?
FSSAI license or registration certificate, purchase invoice, supplier information and storage-related documents are usually asked for during inspections. In many cases, you may also want to see the test report and employee training documents. If these documents are kept properly, inspection becomes easier.
How are milk, cheese and khoya samples tested for adulteration?
The food safety officer collects the sample according to specific rules. The sample is sent to an approved laboratory. Chemical, non-dairy ingredients, and quality are tested. Based on the test report, a decision is made whether the product is safe or not.
What happens if a sample fails the lab test?
If the sample fails the test, the product concerned is considered unsafe. The product may be seized or withdrawn from the market. Strict measures such as license suspension, fines, or closure of the unit may also be taken depending on the situation.
Are hotels and restaurants liable for adulterated cheese used in cooking?
Yes, liability cannot be avoided. If it can prove adulteration, then the restaurant can establish liability. The user organization also has to be accountable even if adulteration comes from the supplier. Therefore, it is very important to verify the source before buying cheese.
How often does FSSAI conduct such enforcement drives?
FSSAI conducts enforcement activities regularly. However, special drives are launched during festivals or when there is an increase in complaints of adulteration. Such drives have been conducted in the past during busy seasons like September-October. Such drives may also be conducted in the future depending on the situation.
What is the impact of this drive on business during the festive season?
During festivals, the demand for milk and sweets increases, so surveillance is also increased. There is a risk of being caught quickly if the rules are not followed during this time. However, those who are prepared in advance and maintain quality gain the trust of the buyer and benefit from the business.
What is the role of FoSCoS in inspection and reporting?
FoSCoS is FSSAI's online system, where information related to inspection and enforcement is uploaded. All the information can be viewed centrally. It is easily detected when any information is incomplete or incorrect. Therefore, it is very important to keep the information updated regularly.
What is the long-term impact on the brand if the rules are not followed?
Not following the rules can cause a big fine and loss of trust. Once the name is bad, buyers move away. It takes a long time to restore a good reputation in the market. Therefore, following the rules is beneficial for both the brand and the business in the long run.
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