The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has enforced a nationwide rule making licensing or registration mandatory for all milk production and dairy sale activities across India. The move aims to curb milk adulteration, unsafe dairy practices, and food poisoning incidents.
The directive, issued on March 11, was sent to State Food Commissioners in all states and Union Territories, warning that strict action will be taken against anyone operating without registration.
Who Must Obtain the Licence
Under the new enforcement:
- Independent milk producers
- Milk vendors
- Private dairy businesses
must obtain FSSAI registration or licence before starting or continuing dairy business operations.
Operating without a valid licence will now lead to legal action and penalties.
Exemption for Cooperative Farmers
Farmers who supply milk directly through registered dairy cooperative societies are exempt from this individual licensing requirement.
This exemption applies to members of cooperatives registered under the Cooperative Societies Act, because the cooperative itself already operates under regulated food safety standards.
Inspections and Enforcement
Food safety officers have been instructed to intensify monitoring through:
- Regular inspections of milk vendors
- Verification of licences and registration documents
- Inspection of milk chilling and cooling equipment
- Ensuring proper storage temperatures and hygiene standards
Authorities will also conduct special registration drives to bring informal dairy sellers into the regulated food system.
Earlier Enforcement Drives
The crackdown follows an earlier directive issued on December 16, 2025, where FSSAI ordered special enforcement drives targeting milk and milk products.
Under that directive:
- States must carry out regular monitoring campaigns
- Compliance reports must be submitted twice every month
Why This Policy Is Important
India’s dairy sector has a large informal milk market, where milk is often sold without formal quality checks. The new rule aims to:
- Prevent milk adulteration
- Improve consumer safety
- Ensure traceability and accountability in dairy supply chains
- Strengthen public health protection
Industry perspective:
Bringing informal dairy vendors into the FSSAI regulatory framework is a major step toward formalising India’s dairy sector, which is essential for improving quality control, export credibility, and consumer trust.
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