Last Updated:
FSSAI says strict compliance with registration and licensing norms must be ensured in view of recent incidents of suspected milk adulteration reported across States and UTs.
FSSAI clarifies that all milk producers must mandatorily register with the authority.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory directing milk producers who are not members of dairy cooperative societies, as well as milk vendors, to obtain mandatory registration or a licence before starting or continuing their food business operations.
In the advisory dated March 11, the regulator said it had come to its notice that several milk producers and vendors are operating without registering themselves or obtaining a licence for carrying out food business activities.
FSSAI clarified that all milk producers, except those who are registered members of dairy cooperative societies under the Cooperative Societies Act and supply their entire milk output to the society, must mandatorily register with the authority. The requirement also applies to milk vendors involved in selling milk.
The regulator said strict compliance with registration and licensing norms must be ensured in view of recent incidents of suspected milk adulteration reported across States and Union Territories.
To enforce the rules, FSSAI has asked Central and State enforcement authorities to direct designated officers, central licensing authorities and food safety officers to verify that milk producers and vendors possess valid registration certificates or licences, wherever applicable.
Authorities have also been advised to carry out periodic inspections of milk chillers used by producers and vendors to ensure proper storage temperatures and maintenance standards. The move is aimed at preventing spoilage and safeguarding public health. The advisory said action may be initiated in cases where violations are detected.
FSSAI further directed States and Union Territories to undertake special registration drives to ensure that milk producers who are not part of dairy cooperative societies, along with milk vendors, obtain the required registration or licence.
The regulator also recalled that it had earlier issued directions on December 16, 2025, asking authorities to conduct regular special enforcement drives on milk and milk products. As part of that exercise, enforcement agencies are required to submit action taken reports twice every month.
March 12, 2026, 14:22 IST
Read More
