The Crossbill News Desk
India’s leading dairy brands have found themselves at the centre of a controversy after an independent testing platform alleged lapses in quality standards in packaged milk and curd products.
A video released by Trustified has sparked debate online, claiming that samples of milk sold by Amul, Mother Dairy, and Country Delight did not meet prescribed safety benchmarks.
According to Trustified, laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate Total Plate Count (TPC) and the presence of coliform bacteria in milk samples. The platform alleged that certain pouches showed coliform levels significantly exceeding the limits set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). In some instances, the levels were said to be up to 98 times higher than the permissible threshold.
Coliform bacteria refer to a group of microorganisms commonly found in soil, water, vegetation, and the intestines of animals and humans. These rod-shaped, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming bacteria can be either motile or non-motile and are known to ferment sugars, producing acid and gas at temperatures between 35°C and 37°C.
While coliform bacteria generally do not cause severe illness, elevated levels may lead to fever, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and headaches. Vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immunity, face higher risks if exposed in large quantities.
Experts note that the detection of coliform bacteria does not automatically imply human contamination. In Indian dairy settings, their presence is often linked to cow dung contamination during hand milking in environments where hygiene standards may be inadequate.
For this reason, boiling milk before consumption has long been recommended. Additionally, disruptions in the cold chain during transport, retail storage, or at home can accelerate bacterial multiplication. As a precaution, pasteurised milk is often advised to be boiled prior to use.
In its findings, Trustified claimed that coliform levels in Amul Taaza were recorded at 980 CFU/ml and 25 CFU/ml in Amul Gold, compared to the FSSAI’s permissible limit of around 10 CFU/ml for pouch milk.
It further alleged that Mother Dairy cow milk showed a TPC of 2,40,000 CFU/ml—nearly eight times higher than the prescribed limit of 30,000 CFU/ml. Country Delight’s milk reportedly recorded a TPC of 60,000 CFU/ml, double the recommended ceiling. Curd products have also come under scrutiny.
In January, the same platform tested Amul Dahi, particularly its Masti Dahi variant, and claimed that coliform bacteria levels were 2,100 times above the permissible limit, while yeast and mould levels were 60 times higher than allowed standards. The platform, however, stated that tetra pack milk and dahi sold in cups met quality checks.
Amul has rejected the allegations, terming them fear-mongering and asserting that its products comply with all regulatory standards. The company suggested that any discrepancies could stem from breaks in the cold chain at the distribution or retail level rather than from its manufacturing facilities.
Meanwhile, enforcement agencies have intensified action against illegal dairy operations.
A report by CNBC-TV18 noted that police and food safety authorities in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have conducted raids on units allegedly producing adulterated milk. In one recent operation in Gujarat, officials reportedly found that 300 litres of pure milk were diluted with water, milk powder, caustic soda, oil, detergent, and urea to produce nearly 1,800 litres of adulterated milk daily.
The scale of such activities has prompted intervention from the FSSAI, which has initiated a nationwide crackdown targeting adulteration and mislabelling in dairy products. In Parliament, the government stated that food safety authorities carry out targeted enforcement drives across states, supported by 246 accredited food testing laboratories, 24 referral laboratories, and over 300 mobile “Food Safety on Wheels” units.
Medical professionals have also weighed in on the issue. Dr Sharad Malhotra, Senior Consultant and Director of Gastroenterology at Aakash Healthcare, advised people to refrain from consuming pouch milk unless it is boiled.
Malhotra told Moneycontrol, “Consuming contaminated milk without boiling can lead to the development of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, bloating, or even food poisoning.”
He added, “Susceptibility is stronger in children, elderly persons, pregnant women, and people with low immunity. So, continuous exposure to contaminated food can also affect gut health.”
“The regulatory authorities may need to review hygiene audits along the entire supply chain, that is, from farm to retail shelf.” The doctor further noted that, even if the bacteria present in the milk are not immediately harmful, milk will have a shorter shelf life under such conditions.
“A large number of bacteria present in the milk is an indication that the storage conditions during transportation, storage, and even on the shelves require an overhaul. Regular testing and refrigeration at all stages, from production to delivery at the doorstep, is a must to adhere to the safety parameters,” Malhotra added.
A video released by Trustified has sparked debate online, claiming that samples of milk sold by Amul, Mother Dairy, and Country Delight did not meet prescribed safety benchmarks.
According to Trustified, laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate Total Plate Count (TPC) and the presence of coliform bacteria in milk samples. The platform alleged that certain pouches showed coliform levels significantly exceeding the limits set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). In some instances, the levels were said to be up to 98 times higher than the permissible threshold.
Coliform bacteria refer to a group of microorganisms commonly found in soil, water, vegetation, and the intestines of animals and humans. These rod-shaped, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming bacteria can be either motile or non-motile and are known to ferment sugars, producing acid and gas at temperatures between 35°C and 37°C.
While coliform bacteria generally do not cause severe illness, elevated levels may lead to fever, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and headaches. Vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immunity, face higher risks if exposed in large quantities.
Experts note that the detection of coliform bacteria does not automatically imply human contamination. In Indian dairy settings, their presence is often linked to cow dung contamination during hand milking in environments where hygiene standards may be inadequate.
For this reason, boiling milk before consumption has long been recommended. Additionally, disruptions in the cold chain during transport, retail storage, or at home can accelerate bacterial multiplication. As a precaution, pasteurised milk is often advised to be boiled prior to use.
In its findings, Trustified claimed that coliform levels in Amul Taaza were recorded at 980 CFU/ml and 25 CFU/ml in Amul Gold, compared to the FSSAI’s permissible limit of around 10 CFU/ml for pouch milk.
It further alleged that Mother Dairy cow milk showed a TPC of 2,40,000 CFU/ml—nearly eight times higher than the prescribed limit of 30,000 CFU/ml. Country Delight’s milk reportedly recorded a TPC of 60,000 CFU/ml, double the recommended ceiling. Curd products have also come under scrutiny.
In January, the same platform tested Amul Dahi, particularly its Masti Dahi variant, and claimed that coliform bacteria levels were 2,100 times above the permissible limit, while yeast and mould levels were 60 times higher than allowed standards. The platform, however, stated that tetra pack milk and dahi sold in cups met quality checks.
Amul has rejected the allegations, terming them fear-mongering and asserting that its products comply with all regulatory standards. The company suggested that any discrepancies could stem from breaks in the cold chain at the distribution or retail level rather than from its manufacturing facilities.
Meanwhile, enforcement agencies have intensified action against illegal dairy operations.
A report by CNBC-TV18 noted that police and food safety authorities in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have conducted raids on units allegedly producing adulterated milk. In one recent operation in Gujarat, officials reportedly found that 300 litres of pure milk were diluted with water, milk powder, caustic soda, oil, detergent, and urea to produce nearly 1,800 litres of adulterated milk daily.
The scale of such activities has prompted intervention from the FSSAI, which has initiated a nationwide crackdown targeting adulteration and mislabelling in dairy products. In Parliament, the government stated that food safety authorities carry out targeted enforcement drives across states, supported by 246 accredited food testing laboratories, 24 referral laboratories, and over 300 mobile “Food Safety on Wheels” units.
Medical professionals have also weighed in on the issue. Dr Sharad Malhotra, Senior Consultant and Director of Gastroenterology at Aakash Healthcare, advised people to refrain from consuming pouch milk unless it is boiled.
Malhotra told Moneycontrol, “Consuming contaminated milk without boiling can lead to the development of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, bloating, or even food poisoning.”
He added, “Susceptibility is stronger in children, elderly persons, pregnant women, and people with low immunity. So, continuous exposure to contaminated food can also affect gut health.”
“The regulatory authorities may need to review hygiene audits along the entire supply chain, that is, from farm to retail shelf.” The doctor further noted that, even if the bacteria present in the milk are not immediately harmful, milk will have a shorter shelf life under such conditions.
“A large number of bacteria present in the milk is an indication that the storage conditions during transportation, storage, and even on the shelves require an overhaul. Regular testing and refrigeration at all stages, from production to delivery at the doorstep, is a must to adhere to the safety parameters,” Malhotra added.
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