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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed milk producers and vendors across the country to obtain mandatory registration or licenses before carrying out milk-related business activities, in a move aimed at tightening oversight of the dairy supply chain and curbing milk adulteration.
In an advisory issued on March 11, the food regulator said it has noticed that several milk producers and vendors are operating outside the regulatory framework.
"It has come to notice that certain milk producers (who are not members of dairy cooperative societies) and milk vendors are operating without registering themselves or obtaining license for carrying out food business activities,” the advisory said.
The directive applies to all milk producers and milk vendors who are not members of dairy cooperative societies, the regulator clarified.
"All milk producers (other than those who are registered members of a dairy cooperative society under Cooperative Societies Act and supplies or sells the entire milk to the Society) and milk vendors are hereby advised to mandatorily register themselves with FSSAI, before commencing or continuing their operations," the advisory added.
Push to curb milk adulteration
The move comes amid increasing concerns around the quality and safety of milk sold in open markets across India. According to the regulator, recent incidents of suspected adulteration have prompted stricter monitoring.
"In view of recent incidents involving suspected adulteration of milk in all states/UTs, strict compliance with registration/licensing requirements shall be ensured,' the advisory noted.
Milk adulteration has remained a recurring food safety concern in India, particularly in unorganised supply chains where milk is sold directly by vendors or small-scale producers without formal oversight.
By bringing such operators under the licensing regime, regulators aim to improve traceability and ensure accountability in the milk supply chain.
States asked to verify licenses
FSSAI has directed enforcement authorities in states and Union Territories to ensure that milk producers and vendors possess valid registration certificates or licenses.
Authorities have also been asked to carry out regular inspections of storage facilities used in the milk supply chain.
"Enforcement authorities of Central and all states/UTs are requested to direct the concerned Designated Officers/Central Licensing Authorities and Food Safety Officers to verify that all such milk producers and milk vendors possess a valid Registration Certificate or License, as applicable," the advisory said.
The regulator also emphasised the importance of proper storage infrastructure to maintain milk quality.
"Additionally, it is also advised to inspect milk chillers (used by the milk producer/milk vendors) periodically to ensure proper storage temperature and necessary requirements of the chiller are maintained at all times, so as to prevent spoilage and safeguard public health," it said.
Special registration drives planned
To expand the regulatory net, state governments have been asked to organise special registration campaigns.
"States/UTs are also directed to undertake special registration drives in their respective jurisdiction to ensure that all milk producers (who are not members of dairy cooperative society)/milk vendors should have the requisite FSSAI Registration Certificate/License, as applicable," the advisory said.
These drives are expected to target small-scale milk suppliers who may not currently be part of the formal regulatory system.
Enforcement drive already underway
The advisory also referred to an earlier direction issued by the regulator to strengthen enforcement checks on milk and dairy products. FSSAI said it had already directed authorities to carry out special enforcement drives and submit action-taken reports regularly.
"FSSAI has already issued a direction… to carry out special enforcement drive for Milk and Milk Products on a regular basis and action taken report on the same is to be shared with the authority on a fortnightly basis i.e. by the 15th and 30th/31st of each month, without fail," the advisory said.
What it means for consumers
The latest directive is part of broader efforts by the food regulator to tighten monitoring of the dairy sector and ensure safer milk supplies for consumers.
Industry experts said bringing independent milk vendors and small producers under the licensing regime could improve oversight of the vast unorganised segment of India's dairy market.
For consumers, the measure is expected to increase transparency in the milk supply chain and reduce the risk of adulterated or improperly stored milk reaching households.
In an advisory issued on March 11, the food regulator said it has noticed that several milk producers and vendors are operating outside the regulatory framework.
"It has come to notice that certain milk producers (who are not members of dairy cooperative societies) and milk vendors are operating without registering themselves or obtaining license for carrying out food business activities,” the advisory said.
The directive applies to all milk producers and milk vendors who are not members of dairy cooperative societies, the regulator clarified.
"All milk producers (other than those who are registered members of a dairy cooperative society under Cooperative Societies Act and supplies or sells the entire milk to the Society) and milk vendors are hereby advised to mandatorily register themselves with FSSAI, before commencing or continuing their operations," the advisory added.
Push to curb milk adulteration
The move comes amid increasing concerns around the quality and safety of milk sold in open markets across India. According to the regulator, recent incidents of suspected adulteration have prompted stricter monitoring.
"In view of recent incidents involving suspected adulteration of milk in all states/UTs, strict compliance with registration/licensing requirements shall be ensured,' the advisory noted.
Milk adulteration has remained a recurring food safety concern in India, particularly in unorganised supply chains where milk is sold directly by vendors or small-scale producers without formal oversight.
By bringing such operators under the licensing regime, regulators aim to improve traceability and ensure accountability in the milk supply chain.
States asked to verify licenses
FSSAI has directed enforcement authorities in states and Union Territories to ensure that milk producers and vendors possess valid registration certificates or licenses.
Authorities have also been asked to carry out regular inspections of storage facilities used in the milk supply chain.
"Enforcement authorities of Central and all states/UTs are requested to direct the concerned Designated Officers/Central Licensing Authorities and Food Safety Officers to verify that all such milk producers and milk vendors possess a valid Registration Certificate or License, as applicable," the advisory said.
The regulator also emphasised the importance of proper storage infrastructure to maintain milk quality.
"Additionally, it is also advised to inspect milk chillers (used by the milk producer/milk vendors) periodically to ensure proper storage temperature and necessary requirements of the chiller are maintained at all times, so as to prevent spoilage and safeguard public health," it said.
Special registration drives planned
To expand the regulatory net, state governments have been asked to organise special registration campaigns.
"States/UTs are also directed to undertake special registration drives in their respective jurisdiction to ensure that all milk producers (who are not members of dairy cooperative society)/milk vendors should have the requisite FSSAI Registration Certificate/License, as applicable," the advisory said.
These drives are expected to target small-scale milk suppliers who may not currently be part of the formal regulatory system.
Enforcement drive already underway
The advisory also referred to an earlier direction issued by the regulator to strengthen enforcement checks on milk and dairy products. FSSAI said it had already directed authorities to carry out special enforcement drives and submit action-taken reports regularly.
"FSSAI has already issued a direction… to carry out special enforcement drive for Milk and Milk Products on a regular basis and action taken report on the same is to be shared with the authority on a fortnightly basis i.e. by the 15th and 30th/31st of each month, without fail," the advisory said.
What it means for consumers
The latest directive is part of broader efforts by the food regulator to tighten monitoring of the dairy sector and ensure safer milk supplies for consumers.
Industry experts said bringing independent milk vendors and small producers under the licensing regime could improve oversight of the vast unorganised segment of India's dairy market.
For consumers, the measure is expected to increase transparency in the milk supply chain and reduce the risk of adulterated or improperly stored milk reaching households.
