FDA shuts Pulwama milk unit over hygiene violations

INDIA – The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has prohibited the manufacture and sale of milk and milk products at a food processing unit in Pulwama after an inspection found serious lapses in hygiene and sanitation.

According to officials, the inspection revealed that the unit was functioning under insanitary conditions, violating the hygiene and sanitation requirements laid down under Schedule IV of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.

Based on the inspection report, the Designated Officer, Food Safety, ordered an immediate ban on the manufacture and sale of milk and milk products from the premises, citing concerns over public health.

The owner has been directed not to resume operations until the identified deficiencies are rectified and the unit fully complies with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the relevant rules and regulations.

In recent weeks, the FDA has intensified its efforts, conducting multiple raids and closing down substandard processing units across south Kashmir. These actions aim to eliminate chemical adulteration and improper handling practices within the regional food supply chain.

To support these efforts, the FDA has encouraged public assistance in identifying cases of adulterated, unsafe, or unhygienic food. Consumers are urged to report such cases through a toll-free helpline (104) or via an official email channel.

The administration has reiterated its commitment to ongoing compliance checks across all districts to protect public health and restore consumer confidence in local food products.

Maharashtra FDA India mandates disclosure of cheese analogues

Recently, the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) mandated that all food service establishments clearly disclose the use of cheese analogues in their offerings.

This latest dairy policy development in India reflects growing regulatory attention to food authenticity and consumer awareness across the dairy sector.

The directive applies to restaurants, hotels, caterers and fast-food operators, requiring them to display the information on both printed menus and digital display boards. The compliance deadline is April 30, with strict enforcement beginning May 1.

The decision follows multiple consumer complaints, highlighting that several outlets were serving cheese analogue products without proper disclosure. In many cases, these items were marketed under names that resembled traditional dairy products, such as paneer or cheese, creating confusion among buyers.

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