In February 2026 authorities uncovered a factory in Gujarat producing synthetic milk using hazardous chemicals such as detergent, urea-based fertiliser, caustic soda, refined oils and whey powder to stretch volumes — using 300 litres of real milk to make nearly 1,800 litres of product. The operation, reportedly ongoing for almost five years, was shut down, and unsafe inventories destroyed by regulators.

These high-profile cases come amid a broader enforcement push by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which in late 2025 ordered state-level campaigns targeting adulteration not only in milk but also in fresh dairy derivatives such as paneer and khoya. Yet complaints remain elevated: in 2024-25 more than 12,000 official grievances were filed for dairy products failing to meet standards, highlighting deep structural compliance gaps.

Independent lab testing has also revealed concerning microbiological quality issues even in products from major brands, with findings of excess coliform bacteria, yeast and mould above permissible limits in some milk and yogurt samples. While major cooperatives such as Amul have disputed specific test results, such safety flags underscore ongoing risks in both informal and formal supply chains.