Mumbai: Milk Vendors Urge FDA To Reconsider Ban On Loose Milk Sales, Cite Livelihood Concerns

Milk vendors urged FDA to reconsider ban on loose milk sales, citing livelihoods of 15 lakh people in the dairy trade.

FDA banned loose and retail milk to curb adulteration, with penalties of Rs 3-10 lakh and license cancellation.

Vendors sought time to build infrastructure for packaging; FDA said fresh milk from cattle sheds can be sold until 10am if pre-packed.

Sanjay Nirupam noted 50,000 dairies in Mumbai supply fresh milk door-to-door, meeting 10% of daily demand.

Fresh raw milk costs Rs 98/litre vs Rs 68 for pasteurized; Mumbai consumes 50 lakh litres, MMR 60 lakh litres daily.