Detergent, chemicals and fake milk: Inside Maharashtra's massive adulteration racket
Officials estimate that nearly 23.04 lakh litres of synthetic milk, valued at around Rs 9.2 crore, were manufactured during the period under investigation
A massive adulteration racket involving milk has been unearthed in Maharashtra, with the state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alleging that over 2.3 crore litres of synthetic milk entered the market over the past six months, manufactured using chemicals, low-grade milk powder, and detergent.
The crackdown, led by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe under the state's "Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra" campaign, exposed an organised network operating across Pune, Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar), Solapur, Jalna and Thane. Investigators said the syndicate manufactured artificial milk using nearly 2.3 lakh kg of low-quality milk powder, which was then mixed with genuine milk in a 10 per cent ratio before being supplied to consumers.
Accused still on the run
Authorities have so far arrested 13 people, registered cases against 26 accused, suspended five food licences, and seized adulterating chemicals worth Rs 1.48 crore. Police said several accused remain absconding, prompting the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a police inspector to track them down.
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The alleged kingpin of the operation has been identified as Sushant Hinge, who, along with 12 others, has been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Food Safety and Standards Act.
How the racket operated
According to the FDA, the accused procured inferior-quality milk powder under the guise of cattle-feed sales and converted it into synthetic milk by mixing it with detergent, palm oil and other chemical additives to mimic the appearance and fat content of real milk.
Officials estimate that nearly 23.04 lakh litres of synthetic milk, valued at around Rs 9.2 crore, were manufactured during the period under investigation.
In a parallel operation, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch also uncovered another form of adulteration. Investigators alleged that racketeers tampered with sealed milk pouches of popular brands such as Amul and Gokul, siphoning off pure milk before refilling the packets with contaminated water or chemical mixtures and resealing them using heat-sealing machines for retail sale.
Health concerns
Medical experts have warned that prolonged consumption of chemically adulterated milk can seriously damage the liver, kidneys and digestive system, posing an even greater risk to children, pregnant women and senior citizens.
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Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, those found guilty of producing or selling life-threatening adulterated food can face life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.
Police Inspector Shriganesh Kanagude, who led one of the raids in Bhum, said officials seized 61 bags of adulterated milk powder and found that the material was being supplied to multiple dairy units in the region.
"Preliminary investigations reveal that the adulterated milk powder was being supplied to several dairy units for preparing fake milk. Since Bhum exports lakhs of litres of milk every day and produces nearly 70 to 80 tonnes of khoya, the case is particularly significant," he said.
Statewide crackdown
The milk crackdown forms part of a wider food safety drive launched after Tukaram Mundhe took charge as FDA Commissioner on May 25.
"Milk is not merely a food product; it is a nutritional foundation for millions of children, mothers, patients and senior citizens. Adulterating milk amounts to playing with public health. Such practices will not be tolerated in Maharashtra," Mundhe said.
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As part of the campaign, FDA teams have conducted 18 raids, inspected 58 hotels, restaurants and dhabas, seized food products worth over Rs 67 lakh, and also launched a statewide crackdown on gutkha, raiding around 904 locations.
The intensified enforcement has also disrupted supply chains, with videos circulating on social media purportedly showing suppliers dumping milk into drains ahead of FDA inspections to avoid seizure.
The crackdown has also reached high-profile businesses. Recently, Mumbai's iconic K Rustom & Co. had its licence suspended after FDA inspectors found serious hygiene violations, including live rodents and houseflies, while laboratory tests reportedly showed the ice cream contained 7.94 per cent milk fat, below the 10 per cent minimum prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).