Fake Milk Racket Using Detergent and Urea Busted in Gujarat After Nearly Five Years

Key Points

A large scale fake milk production unit operating in Gujarat’s Sabarkantha district was busted on 6 February 2026, with authorities alleging that detergent powder, urea fertiliser and other chemicals were used to manufacture milk and buttermilk supplied to villages for nearly five years.

The operation came to light after the Sabarkantha Local Crime Branch (LCB) conducted a raid at Shree Satya Dairy Products, a dairy unit located near Salal village in Prantij taluk. Acting on specific intelligence, a joint team comprising the LCB, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the food and drugs department carried out the search and sealed the factory.

According to officials, the unit allegedly prepared milk by mixing water with milk powder, caustic soda, refined palmolein oil, refined soybean oil, detergent powder and urea. Authorities said the adulterants were used to artificially increase thickness, foam, protein content and the overall appearance of milk to make it look genuine.

A senior police official said that the accused used a small quantity of real milk to expand production volumes significantly. “Using 300 litres of genuine milk, the accused used to produce 1,700 to 1,800 litres of milk daily by mixing various chemicals. The milk was packed in pouches and supplied to villages,” the officer said.

The adulterated dairy products were allegedly sold in local markets across Sabarkantha district and also supplied to Mehsana district, exposing hundreds of consumers to potential health risks over several years.

During the raid, police seized contaminated milk, buttermilk and raw materials worth around ₹71 lakh. Items recovered included 450 kg of whey powder, 625 kg of skimmed milk powder, 300 kg of premium skimmed milk powder, urea fertiliser, caustic soda, detergent powder, soybean oil and palmolein oil. Officials also seized 1,962 litres of adulterated milk and 1,180 litres of adulterated buttermilk that were ready for distribution.

Authorities said these materials and chemicals were used not only to increase the quantity of milk but also to improve its colour and apparent protein content, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish between genuine and fake products.

See Also: FSSAI Launches Nationwide Crackdown on Adulteration of Milk, Paneer and Khoya

Police have arrested four adults in connection with the racket: plant operator Jitendra Patel and employees Sachin Makwana, Karan Parmar and Ajaysinh Parmar. A juvenile worker associated with the unit has been detained. The factory owner, identified as Rakesh alias Dhamo Patel, a resident of Salal currently living in Himmatnagar, is absconding. A search operation has been launched to trace him.

Officials said the factory had allegedly been operating in this manner for about five years. During this period, villagers in Sabarkantha and Mehsana districts are believed to have unknowingly consumed milk and buttermilk adulterated with detergent powder, urea and other toxic chemicals.

The case has been registered at Prantij police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Investigation is underway to identify all those involved in running the operation and to determine how the adulterated products entered and moved through the local supply chain.

Authorities are examining procurement records, distribution networks and possible links with vendors or intermediaries who may have facilitated the sale of the fake dairy products. Forensic analysis of the seized materials is also expected to form part of the evidence in the case.

Officials have warned consumers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious dairy products to local authorities. The seizure highlights concerns over food adulteration in unregulated or small scale units and the risks posed to public health when essential food items are tampered with using industrial chemicals.

The sealing of the unit and the arrests mark a significant step in the probe, but investigators say further action will depend on tracing the absconding owner and establishing the full scale of distribution of the adulterated milk over the past several years.

[DS]

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