Adulteration found in 3,049 milk samples supplied to Karnataka dairies in a year: Govt. informs Council

Karnataka government reports 3,049 adulterated milk samples in a year, prompting testing and monitoring measures for dairy safety.

Adulteration was detected in 3,049 milk samples supplied to dairies in Karnataka during the one year from January 2025 to January this year, Floor leader N.S. Boseraju informed the Legislative Council on behalf of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday.

Replying to a question by Congress member Madhu G. Made Gowda, he said that during the period, 15,15,575 milk samples were collected by 19 milk unions and units across the State for testing.

Among the districts, Hassan recorded the highest number of adulterated samples at 788, followed by Ballari (588), Shivamogga (434), Mandya (418), and Kalaburagi (315). In a written reply, the House was informed that adulteration had been detected in milk supplied by the private company Dodla Dairy.

At the same time, no cases of adulteration were detected in samples collected from Kolar, Chickballapur, Dakshina Kannada, Nandini Hi-Tech Product Plant at Channarayapatna, Nandini Hi-Tech Mega Powder Plant at Kanva, Ramanagara, and Mother Dairy.

Despite milk adulteration being an offence punishable with a minimum of three months’ imprisonment and up to life imprisonment, no criminal cases have been registered against those supplying adulterated milk to dairies, the Floor leader said.

Instead, when adulteration is detected in milk supplied to milk producers’ cooperative societies affiliated to district milk unions, the milk is rejected, and the producers are counselled and warned to prevent recurrence. Officials make periodic visits to such societies and conduct further testing.