(a) whether the consumption of milk is increasing year by year within the country, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the current production of milk is required to meet the present demand, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the cases of adulteration of milk is increasing within the country due to the increasing demand of milk; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government against milk adulteration?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a) As per National Account Statistics 2019, consumption expenditure on milk and milk products has increased from Rs. 415617 crore in 2013-14 to Rs.537531 crore in 2017-18.
(b) Yes Sir. The current production of milk is sufficient to meet the present demand. By and large milk produced in the country is consumed. Milk production in country increased from 137.7 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 187.7 million tonnes in 2018-19 and value output has increased from Rs.423150 crore to Rs.701530 crore during corresponding period. The per capita availability of milk increased from 307 gm/day in 2013-14 to 394 gm/day in 2018-19.
(c) There is no information in the Department that the cases of adulteration of milk are increasing within the country due to increased demand of milk. However, in a nation-wide National Milk Safety and Quality survey conducted by FSSAI in 2018, only 0.18% samples found to contain adulterants.
(d) As per Food Safety and Standard Act,2006 (Para 57), there is provision of penalty for possessing adulterant which is given as below:-
If any person who whether by himself or by any other person on his behalf, imports or manufactures for sale, or stores, sells or distribute any adulterant shall be liable –
(i) where such adulterant is not injurious to health, to a penalty not exceeding two lakh rupees;
(ii) where such adulterant is injurious to health, to a penalty not exceeding ten lakh rupees.
The Act is implemented by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) through the State Food Commissioners in each State.
Further, this Department under National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) has provided milk testing equipments for testing of microbiological and chemicals parameters of milk & milk products including adulterants to 231 dairy plants in Cooperative sector with total outlay of Rs. 271.64 crore during current financial year.