The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has uncovered an alleged organised milk-adulteration network involving detergent, industrial chemicals and other substances used to prepare synthetic milk, with 25 of the 37 identified accused arrested and charge-sheeted.
The investigation has traced alleged supply routes from suppliers and milk collection centres to processing facilities, including Indapur Dairy and Milk Products Ltd., popularly known as Sonai Dairy, in Gokhali, Indapur. The FDA has also ordered the suspension of licences or registrations, or closure of, 26 food establishments connected with the case.
The probe began after the FDA received confidential information that individuals in the Manchar area of Pune district were allegedly using skimmed milk powder, whey powder, whey permeate powder, edible oil, emulsifiers, detergent and other substances to prepare synthetic milk. On July 4, a joint team of the FDA and Pune Rural Police’s Local Crime Branch raided Navkar Distributors at Bhoramala in Avasari Khurd, Ambegaon, and seized suspected adulterant materials.
According to the FDA’s investigation, skimmed milk powder was allegedly used to increase solids-not-fat levels, whey powder to raise protein-related components, edible oil to increase fat content, and emulsifiers and detergent to mix the substances. The agency said laboratory testing later detected detergent and Nonylphenol Ethoxylate, an industrial chemical, in milk and material identified as an adulterant.
At Akash Dairy Farm in Manchar, six milk samples collected on July 6 tested positive for detergent in an FDA Laboratory Mumbai report dated September 28. A supplementary report detected Alphox-200 Ethoxylate, identified as Nonylphenol Ethoxylate, in all six samples. The samples also recorded fat and solids-not-fat values below prescribed standards, according to the report cited by the FDA.
A sample of pasteurised cow milk collected at Atharva Milk and Milk Product Industries in Shirve Pargaon, Ambegaon, recorded 25 per cent fat and 63.9 per cent solids-not-fat, with detergent detected. The sample was declared non-conforming to standards and unsafe for human consumption. The supplementary analysis also detected Alphox-200 Ethoxylate.
The investigation has identified two alleged routes through which adulterated milk reached Sonai Dairy. The FDA said Ananda Maruti Pawar, associated with Awaja Milk Collection Centre in Holewadi, Khed, was allegedly in contact with accused persons and prepared adulterated milk before selling it directly to the dairy. Investigators also traced milk collected and chilled at a unit in Malshiras to Sonai Dairy through Yogininatha Milk Suppliers in tanker MH43BP9597.
In two separate Malshiras operations in Solapur district, authorities destroyed 7,634 litres and 9,096 litres of milk after laboratory testing found detergent and values below required fat and solids-not-fat standards. The first lot was valued at Rs 3,05,360 and the second at Rs 3,63,840, making the combined quantity 16,730 litres and the reported value approximately Rs 6.69 lakh.
The FDA said the investigation is examining suppliers, stockists, chemical and emulsifier vendors, storage facilities, milk collection and chilling centres, transporters and dairy operators. Investigators have also obtained information on large financial transactions between 2024 and June 2026, along with digital evidence that may establish the movement of adulterants and adulterated milk. Twelve of the 37 identified accused have been granted anticipatory bail, while the investigation continues before the Judicial Magistrate First Class at Ghodegaon.
