Mangaluru/Mandya: The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted simultaneous inspections at 16 milk unions of the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) on Friday following the recent controversy over adulterated skimmed milk powder at the Mandya District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (MANMUL).

The inspection drive covered KMF dairies and other food establishments across 22 districts in Karnataka. The action was initiated following directions from Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader, after which the FDA formed 23 special teams for the statewide exercise.

The inspections come amid continuing scrutiny of the MANMUL case, in which laboratory testing reportedly found around 57 tonnes of Nandini skimmed milk powder to be unsafe following adulteration concerns. Two MANMUL officials were subsequently suspended pending a departmental inquiry.

Inspections across 22 districts

The FDA teams carried out inspections in Bengaluru City, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru South, Chikkaballapura, Kolar, Tumakuru, Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Shivamogga, Davangere, Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkote, Vijayapura, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Koppala, Ballari, Raichur and Bidar districts.

The exercise covers both KMF milk unions and other food establishments, with officials tasked with checking food safety and quality standards.

According to the directions issued by the FDA Commissioner, officials have been instructed to collect two samples from each location inspected and send them for laboratory testing.

The test results will help authorities determine whether the samples comply with prescribed food safety and quality standards and whether further regulatory action is required.

Manmul milk powder case triggers scrutiny

The statewide inspection drive follows the controversy surrounding skimmed milk powder at MANMUL in Mandya district.

Food Safety and Drug Administration officials had earlier inspected MANMUL premises and a godown at Gejjalagere in Maddur taluk and collected samples of skimmed milk powder for laboratory examination.

Reports on the case said laboratory analysis subsequently confirmed adulteration and the presence of around 57 tonnes of unsafe Nandini skimmed milk powder. Two MANMUL officials — deputy manager T Ramakrishna and purchase officer Pradeep Kumar Jadhav — were suspended pending a departmental inquiry.

The development prompted increased scrutiny of quality-control procedures within the cooperative dairy network, including procurement, storage, testing and handling of milk powder.

The latest inspections are expected to provide the food safety authorities with a broader assessment of compliance across KMF-linked facilities in the state.

Five arrested in case

Police have already arrested five people in connection with the MANMUL milk powder adulteration case.

The police investigation is proceeding separately from the food safety inspections and laboratory examination being conducted by the FDA.

The authorities are expected to consider the inspection findings and laboratory reports while determining further action in cases where violations are established.

The statewide inspection also comes at a time when KMF and its district milk unions are facing increased attention over quality standards and operational practices.

Upa Lokayukta takes suo motu case

The MANMUL case has also come under the scrutiny of the Karnataka Upa Lokayukta.

On August 28, Upa Lokayukta-II Justice B Veerappa visited the MANMUL unit at Gejjalagere in Maddur taluk and took up a suo motu case against six officers and workers.

He directed the concerned officials to submit their objections, if any, in person on October 27.

The Upa Lokayukta proceedings are separate from the FDA’s regulatory inspections and the police investigation into the alleged adulteration.

The action has brought attention to the procedures followed in the procurement, storage, testing and movement of skimmed milk powder within the cooperative dairy system.

Samples to determine further action

The FDA has directed its teams to collect two samples from every location covered by the inspection drive and send them for testing.

The laboratory results will be crucial in determining whether the products and processes inspected comply with food safety requirements.

Officials are expected to initiate appropriate action wherever violations are established based on inspection findings and laboratory reports.

The inspection campaign covers a large part of Karnataka’s organised dairy network, with teams operating simultaneously across 22 districts.

For consumers, the exercise is significant as milk and milk products form an important part of the daily food supply, while KMF’s Nandini brand has a wide presence across Karnataka.

The authorities’ focus is now on establishing whether any quality or safety violations extend beyond the MANMUL case and ensuring that corrective or legal action is taken wherever required.

Further action in the MANMUL case and other locations inspected by the FDA will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigations and laboratory tests.