Detergent found in milk: Maharashtra FDA uncovers alleged adulteration racket, 25 arrested

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration FDA has uncovered an alleged organised milk adulteration network involving detergent industrial chemicals and other substances used to prepare synthetic milkThe investigation has so far identified 37 accused persons of whom 25 have been arrested and chargesheeted while authorities have traced an alleged supply chain connecting adulterated milk to Indapur Dairy and Milk Products Ltd popularly known as Sonai Dairy in Gokhali IndapurIn separate enforcement actions in Solapurs Malshiras area the FDA also destroyed 16730 litres of milk valued at around Rs 669 lakh after laboratory tests found the milk unsafe for human consumptionFDA launches statewide crackdown on milk adulterationThe crackdown is part of a special Maharashtra FDA campaign targeting adulteration in milk and milk productsOfficials are investigating the entire supply chain rather than limiting their checks to finished milk products The probe covers the sourcing of substances used for adulteration their storage and distribution their alleged use at milk collection and chilling centres and the movement of the resulting milk to processing unitsThe investigation began in Manchar Pune district after the FDA received confidential information that certain individuals were allegedly using or supplying Skimmed Milk Powder SMP Whey Powder Whey Permeate Powder edible oil emulsifiers detergent and other substances to prepare synthetic milkManchar raid leads investigators to suspected adulteration networkOn July 4 2026 a joint team of the Maharashtra FDA and Pune Rural Polices Local Crime Branch raided Navkar Distributors at Bhoramala Avasari Khurd Taluka AmbegaonOfficials found several varieties of Whey Powder and Whey Permeate Powder along with detergent emulsifiers and other substances suspected to have been used for milk adulterationSamples were collected and the stock was seized The seized material included Whey Whey Permeate and Dairy Permeate Powder sold under names including Sonai Mlekpol Prabhat Dairy Milky Mist Paras and Govardhan Officials also found instant tea and coffee creamer and materials labelled as detergent emulsifier and whey powder adulterantsA case was registered at Manchar Police Station under Crime No 2152026 after which investigators began examining the wider supply chainHow the alleged synthetic milk was preparedAccording to the FDA interrogation of the main accused revealed an alleged method for manipulating the composition of milkInvestigators said Skimmed Milk Powder was used to increase SolidsNotFat levels while Whey Powder was used to increase proteinrelated components Edible oil was allegedly added to increase fat content while emulsifiers and detergent were used to mix the various componentsBased on these findings the FDA expanded inspections to suppliers stockists milk collection centres chilling centres and other establishments connected to the suspected networkDetergent and industrial chemical detected in milk samplesThe investigation took a more serious turn after laboratory analysis detected Nonylphenol Ethoxylate an industrial chemical in material identified as an adulterantAn FDA food analysis report on a sample labelled Emulsifier ndash Adulterant detected the chemical Subsequent testing of milk samples also revealed detergent and Nonylphenol EthoxylateAt Akash Dairy Farm in Manchar officials collected six milk samples on July 6 An FDA Laboratory Mumbai report dated September 28 found all six samples positive for detergentA supplementary report further detected Alphox200 Ethoxylate identified chemically as Nonylphenol Ethoxylate in all six samples The samples also had fat and SNF values below the prescribed standards The findings were forwarded to police for further investigationAtharva Milk sample declared unsafe for consumptionOn the same day FDA officials inspected Atharva Milk and Milk Product Industries at Shirve Pargaon Taluka AmbegaonA sample of pasteurised cow milk recorded 25 per cent fat and 639 per cent SNF with detergent detected The sample was declared nonconforming to standards and unsafe for human consumptionA supplementary analysis also detected Alphox200 Ethoxylate or Nonylphenol Ethoxylate in the retained sample37 accused identified 25 arrestedThe investigation has so far identified 37 accused persons in Crime No 2152026According to the FDA the alleged network includes suppliers of Whey and Whey Permeate Powder suppliers of industrial chemicals including Nonylphenol Ethoxylate transporters milk collection and chilling centres and dairy operatorsThe alleged mastermind Sushant Babanrao Hinge along with major adulterant and chemical suppliers is among those arrestedOf the 37 accused 25 have been arrested and chargesheeted before the Judicial Magistrate First Class Ghodegaon The remaining 12 have been granted anticipatory bail while the investigation continuesThe FDA has also directed the suspension of licences or registrations or closure of business for 26 food establishments connected with the case Investigators have additionally identified large financial transactions and digital evidence allegedly linked to the supply of adulterants with a separate financial investigation underwayInvestigation traces alleged milk supply chain to Sonai DairyOne of the key developments in the probe is the alleged supply chain through which adulterated milk reached Sonai Dairy in IndapurA second alleged route has also emergedThe FDA said Ananda Maruti Pawar associated with Awaja Milk Collection Centre in Holewadi Khed was in contact with Hinge and allegedly prepared adulterated milk before selling it directly to Sonai DairyThe findings therefore indicate two separate alleged routes through which adulterated milk reached the dairy16730 litres of milk destroyed in MalshirasThe investigation subsequently expanded to Malshiras in Solapur district where two separate cases were registered following inspections and laboratory testingAt Mahalakshmi Milk and Milk Products Pilliw officials found cow milk containing 27 per cent fat against the required 32 per cent and 704 per cent SNF against the required 83 per cent The sample also tested positive for detergent and was declared unsafe for human consumptionBecause the milk was perishable and could not be safely maintained at the required temperature authorities destroyed 7634 litres of milk worth Rs 305360 on the spotThe investigation also found that milk collected and chilled at the unit was being supplied through Yogininatha Milk Suppliers in tanker MH43BP9597 to Sonai DairyAnother 9096 litres destroyedA separate inspection was conducted at Dailywish Agro Dairy Product Pvt Ltd Pilliw on July 5 2026Two cow milk samples were collected One sample recorded 25 per cent fat against the required 32 per cent and 728 per cent SNF against the required 83 per cent and tested positive for detergentThe sample was declared unsafe following which authorities destroyed 9096 litres of milk valued at Rs 363840Crime No 04862026 was subsequently registered at Malshiras Police Station on October 1 2026Combined the two Malshiras operations resulted in the destruction of 16730 litres of milk worth approximately Rs 669 lakhProbe widens beyond individual dairiesThe Maharashtra FDA has stressed that the investigation is not restricted to a single dairy or processing facilityOfficials are examining suppliers of Whey and Whey Permeate Powder chemical and emulsifier suppliers storage facilities milk collection and chilling centres and other establishments suspected of being part of the networkInvestigators have also obtained information on largescale financial transactions between 2024 and June 2026 along with digital evidence that could help establish the movement of adulterants and adulterated milkFDA warns of strict action over milk adulterationThe FDA has warned that strict action will continue against those who compromise public health for financial gainThe department highlighted the importance of milk in the daily diet of infants senior citizens patients and the general public and said it would continue monitoring milk collection and chilling centres dairies and processing industries across MaharashtraThe agency is also keeping watch on the supply chains of substances that could potentially be used for milk adulteration