In a major move to curb milk adulteration and strengthen food safety oversight, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed all independent milk producers and milk vendors to obtain mandatory registration or licensing before conducting any food business operations.
According to an advisory issued on March 11, 2026, the regulator observed that several milk producers and vendors across different states were operating without proper registration or licence. To address this issue, FSSAI clarified that all milk producers who are not members of dairy cooperative societies must register with the authority.
The exemption applies only to producers who are officially registered under the Cooperative Societies Act and supply their entire milk production directly to the cooperative society. However, independent producers and vendors selling milk in the open market must obtain either FSSAI registration or a licence, depending on the scale of their operations.
The directive comes in response to recent incidents of suspected milk adulteration reported across several states and union territories, raising concerns about public health and food safety.
FSSAI has instructed central and state enforcement authorities, including designated officers and food safety officers, to ensure strict compliance. Officials will verify that milk producers and vendors possess valid registration certificates or licences and will take action against those found operating illegally.
In addition to documentation checks, authorities have also been asked to conduct periodic inspections of milk chillers used for storage. These inspections will ensure proper temperature control and hygienic maintenance standards to prevent spoilage and contamination of milk.
To further strengthen enforcement, the regulator has directed states and union territories to conduct special registration drives to bring all unregistered milk producers and vendors into the regulatory framework.
Earlier, on December 16, 2025, FSSAI had also ordered special enforcement drives targeting milk and milk products across the country, with authorities required to submit action-taken reports twice every month.
The latest directive is part of a broader effort by the regulator to improve traceability, prevent adulteration, and protect consumer health in India’s dairy supply chain.
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