FSSAI launches milk sampling scheme to strengthen internal controls

FSSAI has launched a scheme for sampling, testing and inspection of milk. The country’s apex food re…

FSSAI has launched a scheme for sampling, testing and inspection of milk. The country’s apex food regulator has stated that its objective is to strengthen internal controls at dairy processing establishments.

The National Milk Quality Survey, 2018, carried out by FSSAI in 602 towns, collected 6,432 samples. It revealed that milk in India was largely safe. However, a few samples were found to be positive for adulterants and residues of contaminants.

FSSAI stated that the samples were tested for four quality parameters, 12 adulterants and four contaminants, 93 antibiotics residues, 18 pesticide residues, Aflatoxin M1 and Ammonium Sulphate. The survey found that while 90 per cent of the samples were safe, less than 10 per cent of them were non-compliant.

The regulator added that to ensure the supply of safe and quality milk to consumers and address the non-compliances observed in processed milk during the survey.

FSSAI has taken several initiatives, and one of the initiative is the proposed launch of the scheme for sampling, testing and inspection of milk for self-monitoring at licenced dairy processing establishments.

Meanwhile, the scheme elaborates certain quality and safety tests, which have to be conducted by dairy establishments at a scheduled frequency to help the establishments in identifying the cause of any non-compliance and taking preventive and corrective action.

The scheme is tentatively planned to be operationalised from October 1, 2019, and shall be subjected to compliance verification from January 1, 2020, giving adequate time for milk processing units to adjust and upgrade to the requirement.

FSSAI also shall sensitise the dairy FBOs about the scheme by organising capacity-building programmes in different regions.

State authorities have also been advised by the regulator to strengthen internal control and enforcement, along with state animal husbandry departments at dairy establishments registered by state authorities.