Maharashtra To Introduce Digital System To Curb Milk Adulteration: FDA Chief Tukaram Mundhe

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Saturday said the state expects to introduce a digital system within "six months to a year" to trace milk from dairies and collection centres back to the animal, a move aimed at reducing adulteration and ensuring food safety.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2026 here, Mundhe also said FDA had begun inspecting milk collection centres across Maharashtra to check for adulteration, unsafe milk and compliance with prescribed practices for collection, manufacturing and hygiene.

"Over the next few months, possibly within six months to a year, we are going to use a digital system to track it down. Every animal is tagged with an ear tag, which contains its details. If we match those details with the milk produced, I think adulteration and unsafe milk will go down," Mundhe said.

"About 15 days ago, we listed hundreds of milk collection centres where our teams are conducting inspections. We will trace the milk back to the farmer," he added.

Explaining the proposed mechanism, Mundhe said the department would use data from the Animal Husbandry Department to match details of milk production with information about tagged animals.

The process would help authorities identify discrepancies and trace the source of adulterated milk, he said.

"Milk collection centres, chilling centres and dairies that had earlier failed to comply with regulations are beginning to improve compliance following inspections and enforcement action. Food safety needs to become a public movement involving consumers, food businesses and government agencies, rather than depending on the efforts of individual officers," Mundhe pointed out.

"Food safety affects all of us, from conception to the last moment of our lives. It affects public health, the economy, GDP growth and farmers. Both the demand side, where consumers seek safe food, and the supply side, where businesses comply with rules, have to work together," he said.

The FDA commissioner said food safety practices were gradually spreading across the sector, from street food vendors to established food businesses, although the pace of change could vary.

He also referred to initiatives such as the 'Eat Right School' campaign in Maharashtra, aimed at encouraging children to consume nutritious food and avoid junk food. He said the department had received responses from parents supporting the initiative.

On pharmaceutical regulation, Mundhe said the FDA was taking action against non-compliant establishments across the drug supply chain, including pharmacies and manufacturing units. The department was also examining manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), which form the basis of medicines.

He said inspections had revealed deficiencies in some manufacturing facilities, including rusty equipment, and the department was strengthening surveillance and enforcement across the pharmaceutical sector.