Are Amul, Mother Dairy and Country Delight Truly Safe? Inside the Milk Safety Debate Stirring the Nation

Concerns over milk safety in India have intensified after independent testing platform Trustified reported that some packaged milk pouches showed coliform bacteria levels as high as 98 times above Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) limits. The findings, circulated through viral videos, also flagged high total plate counts in certain brands. Amul responded by stating that its products meet safety standards and suggested that possible cold-chain breaks at retail or distribution levels could explain the results. Doctors told Moneycontrol that improper storage and handling allow bacteria to multiply and advised consumers to boil pouch milk and ensure refrigeration. FSSAI has ordered a nationwide crackdown on milk adulteration and misbranding.

Key Takeaways on Coliform Bacteria in Packaged Milk

• Trustified tests claimed some milk pouches showed coliform levels 98 times higher than FSSAI limits.
• High total plate counts were also reported in certain brands.
• Amul said all its products meet safety standards and cited possible cold-chain disruptions.
• Doctors warned that poor storage enables bacterial growth and urged boiling pouch milk.
• FSSAI ordered a nationwide crackdown on adulteration and misbranding.
• Authorities in Gujarat busted a factory allegedly producing adulterated milk for five years.

What Triggered the Milk Safety Debate

Milk safety has come under scrutiny after laboratory tests cited by Trustified indicated excessive bacterial presence in several packaged milk samples. According to the testing platform, some milk pouches recorded coliform bacteria levels up to 98 times higher than FSSAI’s prescribed limits.

The same testing exercise claimed that certain other brands showed total plate count (TPC) levels far above safe thresholds. TPC is a laboratory measure used to estimate the total number of viable bacteria present in a milk sample and is widely regarded as an indicator of hygiene and quality.

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The reports circulated widely on social media, prompting renewed public attention on how milk is processed, transported and stored before reaching consumers.

Understanding Coliform Bacteria

According to ScienceDirect, coliform bacteria are rod-shaped, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming organisms that can ferment lactose with acid and gas production when incubated at 35–37°C. Cleveland Clinic states that Escherichia coli, a specific type of coliform bacteria, can cause infections in the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract and other parts of the body, although many strains normally live in the gut without causing harm.

Experts noted that the presence of coliform bacteria does not automatically mean contamination from human waste. In India, it is often linked to cow dung during manual milking, particularly where hygiene is inadequate. Bacteria can pass from the cow’s udder, the milker’s hands or containers into the milk.

Disruption in the cold chain during transport, at retail outlets or even at home can allow residual bacteria to multiply rapidly. This is one reason pasteurised milk is often boiled again before consumption in many households.

Pasteurisation, UHT Milk and Boiling Practices

Pasteurised milk is heated to specific temperatures to kill harmful bacteria and pathogens and extend shelf life, a process named after French scientist Louis Pasteur. It targets organisms such as E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria and those causing tuberculosis or brucellosis, without fully sterilising the milk. Nutrition largely remains intact, though some heat-sensitive vitamins like B12 may decline slightly.

Ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk, commonly sold in tetra packs, is heated to more than 135°C and sealed in sterile packaging. Such products have consistently passed recent laboratory tests, according to the reports cited in the chunks.

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While pasteurisation already eliminates harmful pathogens, experts explained that poor storage conditions can still allow bacterial growth because natural antimicrobial enzymes in milk are reduced during heat treatment. This is why many households continue to boil packet milk briefly as a precaution.

Extra boiling does not significantly improve safety but may slightly reduce nutrients if prolonged. Brief boiling for a few minutes is generally considered harmless.

What Amul Said on the Viral Claims

After a Trustified video alleged that Amul Taaza and Gold pouch milk contained coliform bacteria at levels 98 times higher than FSSAI limits, the company responded that all its products meet safety standards.

Amul dismissed the reports and said that any abnormal findings could stem from possible breaks in the cold chain at the retail or distribution level rather than from manufacturing failures.

The same testing platform claimed that Mother Dairy and Country Delight pouches showed TPC levels exceeding safe thresholds.

Medical Experts on Risks and Prevention

The Moneycontrol team spoke to Dr Sharad Malhotra, senior consultant and director of Gastroenterology at Aakash Healthcare, who said that high bacterial counts can raise questions about hygiene anywhere along the supply chain.

He explained that contamination is not confined to production and milking but may occur during transportation, storage, cold-chain maintenance or retail handling. Poor temperature control, he said, allows bacteria to multiply, and inadequate storage after pasteurisation compromises safety.

Dr Malhotra urged people not to consume pouch milk without boiling and to store it under proper refrigeration. He also suggested that regulatory authorities may need to review hygiene audits across the entire chain, from farm to retail shelves.

Consuming contaminated milk without boiling, he told Moneycontrol, can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, bloating or food poisoning. Children, elderly people, pregnant women and those with low immunity are particularly susceptible.

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He added that milk with high bacterial loads often has a shorter shelf life, becomes sour early or develops an odour before expiry. Regular testing and refrigeration at every stage, from production to doorstep delivery, are essential to meet safety standards.

Recommended Handling and Storage Tips

Dr Malhotra outlined several precautions:

• Boil milk for at least two to three minutes before drinking; partial heating is not advised.
• Maintain refrigeration at about 4°C and avoid leaving milk outside for long periods, especially in hot climates.
• Use promptly after opening, ideally within 24–48 hours.
• Check packaging integrity; pouches should not be bloated, leaking or stored at room temperature in shops.
• Consider UHT tetra packs, which remain sterile until opened.

How to Check for Milk Adulteration at Home

Simple household tests highlighted in the reports include:

• Water test: Pure milk flows slowly on a tilted surface with a white trail, while diluted milk spreads quickly.
• Cream test: After boiling and cooling, lack of a cream layer may indicate dilution.
• Foam test: Excessive foam on shaking could suggest detergent contamination.

Political Concerns and Enforcement Action

Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha last week raised concerns over adulterated food products and urged the government to strengthen FSSAI.

He alleged that research showed 71 per cent of milk samples contained urea and 64 per cent had neutralisers such as sodium bicarbonate. Chadha said that from 2014–15 to 2025–26, 25 per cent of samples tested were neutralised and questioned how many people might have fallen ill.

Separately, authorities in Gujarat busted a factory in Sabarkantha district that was allegedly producing and distributing adulterated milk and buttermilk for five years. Huge quantities of chemicals and adulterated products were seized following the operation.

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Amid the recent reports, FSSAI ordered a nationwide crackdown on milk adulteration and misbranding.

Why Milk Safety Remains Under Watch

The claims, company responses, medical warnings and regulatory actions together highlight how contamination risks can arise at multiple stages of the milk supply chain. From hygiene during milking to cold-chain maintenance and household storage, experts stressed that every step matters.

With milk being a staple in Indian homes, doctors advised vigilance, proper boiling of pouch milk and strict refrigeration. Regulators, meanwhile, continued enforcement drives and reviews of hygiene practices across production and retail networks to ensure that safety standards are maintained.

Beyond the Bottle: Why Purity Remains Elusive

Recent concerns over the safety of milk from trusted brands like Amul and Mother Dairy have left families questioning what is truly “pure.” We pay a premium for health, yet we often find ourselves battling hidden risks. But have we ever wondered why, despite advanced science and strict regulations, the human heart still prioritizes profit over life?. Can any laboratory test truly detect the decay of human morality, or are we simply chasing a mirage of safety in a world built on deception?.

The Spiritual Root of Deception and the Path to Truth

Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj explains that in this realm of Kaal Brahm (Satan), everything is designed to keep souls entangled in suffering. The adulteration we see is a reflection of a deeper spiritual crisis. Sant Garibdas Ji Maharaj warns:

“Drishti pade so dhokha re. Khand pind brahmand chalenge thir nahi rahsi loka re. thir nahi rahsi loka re.”

This world is inherently transient and imperfect. True safety isn’t found in a bottle, but in the refuge of a Tatvdarshi Sant. By following the scripture-based worship shown by Sant Rampal Ji, we can escape this cycle of greed and return to Satlok—our eternal, blissful home.

Take the first step toward true protection and eternal peace.

• Website: www.jagatgururampalji.org 
• YouTube: Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj
• Facebook: Spiritual Leader Saint Rampal Ji
• ‘X’ handle: @SaintRampalJiM

FAQs on Coliform Bacteria in Packaged Milk

Q1. What are coliform bacteria?

They are bacteria commonly found in soil, water and intestines and can indicate hygiene issues in milk handling.

Q2. What did Trustified’s tests claim?

They reported some milk pouches had coliform levels 98 times above FSSAI limits and high total plate counts.

Q3. What was Amul’s response?

Amul said its products meet safety standards and pointed to possible cold-chain breaks at retail or distribution.

Q4. What symptoms can contaminated milk cause?

Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, bloating or food poisoning, especially in vulnerable groups.

Q5. What precautions did doctors suggest?

Boil pouch milk, refrigerate at about 4°C, use quickly after opening and avoid damaged packaging.