ArdorComm Media News Network
October 14, 2026
Maharashtra is planning to introduce a digital milk-tracking mechanism within the next six months to a year to strengthen food safety and curb adulteration. The proposed system will enable authorities to trace milk from dairies and collection centres back to the individual animal, Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2026, Mundhe said the FDA had initiated inspections at milk collection centres across the state to identify adulteration, unsafe milk and violations of prescribed hygiene and handling standards.
The proposed digital system will use animal identification data, including details recorded on ear tags, to establish a link between milk production and the animals from which the milk originates. The FDA plans to coordinate with the Animal Husbandry Department to match animal records with milk production data, helping officials identify discrepancies and trace the source of potentially adulterated milk.
Mundhe said the department had identified hundreds of milk collection centres for inspection around 15 days earlier, with enforcement teams working to trace milk supplies back to individual farmers. He added that collection centres, chilling facilities and dairies previously found violating regulations had begun improving compliance following inspections and enforcement measures.
FDA Calls for Greater Public Participation in Food Safety
The FDA commissioner emphasised that food safety requires collective responsibility from consumers, food businesses and government agencies rather than relying solely on individual officials. He noted that safe food practices have implications for public health, economic development, farmers and the country’s overall growth.
According to Mundhe, awareness and compliance are gradually expanding across the food sector, from street food vendors to established businesses, although the pace of improvement differs. He also highlighted Maharashtra’s ‘Eat Right School’ initiative, which encourages children to adopt healthier eating habits, consume nutritious food and avoid excessive junk food. The programme has received encouraging feedback from parents, he said.
FDA Steps Up Pharmaceutical Industry Inspections
Mundhe also outlined the department’s enforcement efforts in the pharmaceutical sector, including action against establishments that fail to comply with regulatory requirements. Inspections cover pharmacies, drug manufacturing facilities and producers of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), which are essential components of medicines.
He said inspections had uncovered shortcomings at certain manufacturing facilities, including equipment affected by rust. The department is strengthening surveillance and enforcement to address such deficiencies and improve compliance across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
The planned digital milk-tracking system, alongside inspections and awareness initiatives, is expected to support efforts to improve food safety standards and strengthen accountability across Maharashtra’s dairy sector.
Source: PTI