Between January and November 2025, the Food Safety Department analyzed 477 samples, uncovering significant discrepancies that have alarmed industry analysts. The laboratory results identified 22 samples as “substandard,” meaning they failed to meet the required nutritional or composition metrics, while 25 samples were flagged as “misbranded.” Most concerningly, one sample was declared “unsafe” for human consumption due to the presence of prohibited additives, highlighting a critical breach in the production process.

The regulatory fallout has been swift, with the Adjudicating Officer and District Revenue Officer imposing collective fines totaling ₹5.25 lakh on 48 manufacturers and traders. These penalties were levied against those found in direct violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act. According to Dr. K. Tamilselvan, the Designated Officer for the Food Safety Department, the crackdown serves as a firm reminder that the government will not tolerate the distribution of inferior dairy goods.

Investigations into the non-compliant samples revealed that small-scale units and unregistered vendors are the primary sources of these violations. The “misbranded” category often involved products lacking essential consumer information, such as FSSAI license numbers, manufacturing dates, and expiry dates. These labeling failures represent a significant risk to traceability, a cornerstone of modern agribusiness, making it difficult for consumers and retailers to verify the freshness and origin of the products.