2 Dairy Owners Face Fine From FDA For Serving Sub-Standard Milk To Consumers

A penalty of Rs. 60,000 each on two dairy owners based in Ahmednagar and Pune districts have been imposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for serving sub-standard milk to patrons.

In a surprise drive conducted on June 17 samples of milk were drawn from various dairies operational by the FDA Pune division. "The substandard samples were from two dairies operation in rural parts of Pune and Ahmednagar. They were selling this substandard milk in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. The samples drawn from them were found not up to the mark during laboratory tests. Hence, we have imposed a fine of Rs 60,000 each on both the dairies found at fault," said Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune.

A total of 1,754 samples were drawn in Maharashtra between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015. Of these, 330 samples were of low quality and 94 samples were found unsafe for consumption, reveals FDA report. Officials have filed criminal cases against errant suppliers. "We have already filed 39 criminal cases where the samples were found unsafe so far. Besides, we have recovered a penalty to the tune of Rs 25.78 lakh in 148 cases where the samples were found sub-standard," said a senior FDA official from the headquarters based in Mumbai.

"FDA officials would file a case against a supplier in the court of law even if the sample had less amount of fat. Now, with the new Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the FDA officials can only fine them for such offenses. A case is filed against a supplier only when the sample is found unsafe for consumption," said Shivkumar Kodgire, assistant commissioner (food), FDA, Pune.

Source: Medindia