FSSAI Cracks Down on Illegal Milk Smuggling into Bengaluru

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has conducted a significant operation to intercept unbranded and unrefrigerated tankers transporting suspected adulterated milk into Bengaluru from Tamil Nadu. More than 30 commercial milk tankers were stopped during a coordinated operation on a Sunday morning, targeting unauthorized milk distribution networks.

The intervention was prompted by intelligence reports indicating the influx of low-cost milk being sold below the state-mandated floor prices set by the Karnataka Milk Federation. A task force led by Viswanath V.R., Assistant Commissioner of FSSAI’s Bengaluru South Division, set up inspection zones at key border points including Hoskote, Attibele, and Hosur.

Investigations revealed that the intercepted shipments were not from any recognized brand or cooperative, and the transporters lacked valid FSSAI licenses. The milk was being transported from unverified dairies in Tamil Nadu using standard logistics vehicles without refrigeration, posing biosecurity risks due to lack of temperature control.

The low pricing of the milk raised suspicions of chemical adulteration to extend shelf life. FSSAI teams collected samples from the seized tankers for laboratory analysis to check for chemical and microbiological irregularities. The cheap milk supply was primarily intended for budget-conscious businesses like tea stalls and bakeries.

Following the operation, non-compliance notices were issued to regional distributors involved in the smuggling network. Legal proceedings have begun against these unregistered operators as investigations continue to trace the milk's origin and repackaging activities.

This enforcement action highlights a nationwide effort to ensure transparency and consumer safety in urban dairy supply chains, addressing threats from unregulated markets.