Maharashtra FDA Finds Adulterated Milk Supply Chain Linked to Sonai Dairy

PUNE: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prima facie found that adulterated milk was supplied to Indapur Dairy and Milk Products Ltd, popularly known as Sonai Dairy, as investigators probe an organised milk adulteration network, officials said on Wednesday.

According to the FDA, milk delivery records and tanker challans helped establish a supply chain running from the accused through Mahalakshmi Milk and Milk Products and Yogininatha Milk Suppliers to Sonai Dairy at Gokhali in Pune district.

Investigators also identified another route through which adulterated milk was allegedly prepared and supplied directly to Sonai Dairy, news agency PTI reported.

The probe is being conducted as part of a special FDA campaign aimed at tracing the entire milk adulteration chain. The investigation covers suppliers of substances used to manufacture synthetic milk, their storage facilities, milk collection and chilling centres, as well as processing units.

According to an FDA release, two separate cases were also uncovered in Malshiras in Solapur district.

At Mahalakshmi Milk and Milk Products in Piliv, a milk sample tested positive for detergent, while the fat and milk solids-not-fat (SNF) levels were found to be below the prescribed standards. Following the findings, 7,634 litres of milk valued at Rs 3.05 lakh were destroyed.

The FDA said milk collected at the facility was allegedly supplied to Sonai Dairy through Yogininatha Milk Suppliers.

An FIR was registered against the persons concerned, including those associated with Sonai Dairy, PTI reported.

In another case, 9,096 litres of milk worth Rs 3.64 lakh were destroyed at Dailywish Agro Dairy Product Pvt Ltd in Piliv after a sample was declared unsafe for human consumption. The sample was found to contain detergent, while its fat and SNF levels were below the required standards.

An FIR was also registered in this case.

The FDA said that a combined 16,730 litres of milk, estimated to be worth around Rs 6.69 lakh, had been destroyed in the two Malshiras cases, PTI reported.

The wider investigation began in Manchar in Pune district, where the FDA, along with police, uncovered a network allegedly using skimmed milk powder, whey powder, edible oil, emulsifiers and detergent to manufacture adulterated milk.

Laboratory analysis of six milk samples collected from Akash Dairy Farm found detergent in all six samples. Supplementary reports also detected Nonylphenol Ethoxylate.

The FDA said 37 accused persons had been identified in the Manchar case.

Of these, 25 people had been arrested and a charge sheet was filed, while 12 others were granted anticipatory bail. Authorities also issued directions to suspend licences or registrations, or shut down the operations of, 26 food establishments.

The Food and Drug Administration said the investigation had uncovered the alleged involvement of suppliers dealing in whey powder, skimmed milk powder, emulsifiers and chemicals, along with individuals storing such substances, milk collection and chilling centres and other establishments suspected of participating in the adulteration process.

Investigators are also examining large financial transactions and digital evidence dating from 2024 through June 2026 to establish the complete supply chain and identify all those involved.

The FDA said strict action would continue against individuals and establishments compromising public health by using unauthorised substances in milk for financial gain.

The department has also stepped up surveillance at milk collection centres, chilling centres, dairies and milk processing units across Maharashtra.