India’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has enacted a comprehensive compliance order targeting the dairy supply chain to mitigate adulteration concerns. This new regulation mandates stringent surveillance measures from farm to plate, ensuring adherence to milk-fat and solids-not-fat standards, and maintains a non-negotiable cold chain at or below 4°C. These measures apply to milk distribution and all sellers of dairy derivatives such as paneer, condensed milk, milk powder and ice cream.

FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe highlighted the regulatory focus on differentiating products, stating that ice cream should be made exclusively from milk or its derivatives, not from vegetable fat. Products containing vegetable fat must be distinctly labelled as ‘frozen dessert’ or ‘frozen confection’. Additionally, the percentage of milk fat, vegetable oil and vegetable fat used must be declared on labels.

Commissioner Mundhe says that violators could face fines up to Rs 10 lakh or imprisonment. The FDA’s proactive measures aim to ensure consumer safety and maintain the integrity of dairy products in the market, the agency says.