Mumbai: In a major move to curb milk adulteration and ensure the supply of quality milk, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will soon introduce portable milk scanners across the state. The agency is expected to receive 50 such devices by August 2025.
Portable Devices to Enable On-Site Testing of Milk Purity
“We will be getting 50 portable milk scanners this month,” confirmed FDA Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar. “These compact devices can be easily carried in vehicles and allow instant on-site testing of milk purity.”
At present, FDA officials collect milk samples and send them to laboratories for testing—a process that takes time and carries the risk of spoilage before analysis begins.
Current Lab Testing Delays Pose Risk of Spoilage
“There’s a possibility that milk spoils before it even reaches the lab,” said Narvekar. “With these portable scanners providing immediate results, such concerns will be eliminated, and we can take swift action against violators.”
Scanners to Detect 16 Quality Parameters Including Adulterants
Each portable scanner can assess up to 16 parameters of milk quality, including fat percentage, solids-not-fat (SNF), protein content, and density. They can also detect harmful adulterants such as urea, starch, glucose, neutralizers, sodium chloride, detergent, and ammonium sulfate.
FDA to Monitor City Entry Points, Intercept Suspicious Consignments
As part of the plan, FDA officials will carry the scanners to key checkpoints—especially at city entry points—to inspect milk-carrying vehicles. “We will station these machines along with officials at locations known for past incidents of milk adulteration or where suspicious consignments have been intercepted,” Narvekar added.
Milkoscan Devices to Strengthen Lab Analysis Capability
In addition to the portable scanners, the FDA is also procuring two advanced Milkoscan machines for its laboratory. “These will be used for detailed milk analysis, although they will take some time to arrive,” said Narvekar.
Milkoscan devices use Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to rapidly analyze milk components such as fat, protein, lactose, and total solids. They offer accurate and consistent results for a variety of dairy products, including milk, cream, and even plant-based alternatives.
