India's FSSAI Mandates Registration for Independent Milk Producers

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive requiring independent milk producers and vendors to obtain registration or a food business license before operating. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address food safety compliance issues and enhance traceability in India's milk supply chain.

Under this new regulation, producers not affiliated with dairy cooperatives and those selling directly in the market must register with FSSAI. However, producers who supply their entire output to cooperatives are exempt fr om this requirement. This measure is intended to address regulatory compliance gaps that have made it challenging to monitor product quality and enforce food safety standards.

The move by FSSAI follows reports of milk adulteration incidents, with a notable case in East Godavari district wh ere adulterated milk led to severe health issues, including deaths. This incident has heightened concerns over the safety of dairy products and the need for stringent regulatory enforcement.

FSSAI has instructed its officers to verify the registration status of milk producers and vendors and conduct inspections of milk storage facilities to ensure compliance with hygiene standards. These measures aim to prevent milk spoilage and contamination.

Additionally, FSSAI has called on state governments to organize special registration drives to bring unregistered producers and vendors into compliance. Regular enforcement drives are also required, with states needing to report progress bi-monthly to FSSAI.

This directive is part of FSSAI's ongoing efforts to improve transparency, regulatory oversight, and consumer protection in India's dairy sector.