Massive Milk Adulteration Raid in Hardoi: 38,000 Liters Seized
Authorities raided Poonam Milk Dairy in Sandila, seizing 38,000 liters of suspected synthetic milk intended for Lucknow and Kanpur.
In a major crackdown on food fraud, a joint task force raided a dairy facility in the Sandila Industrial Area, seizing a staggering 38,000 liters of suspected adulterated milk. The operation, conducted late Tuesday, October 13, 2026, targeted the Poonam Milk Dairy following intense allegations of large-scale milk adulteration.
Joint Task Force Conducts Massive Raid
The operation was spearheaded by Sandila SDM Narayani Bhatia and involved a coordinated effort between the police, the revenue department, and food safety authorities. To maintain order during the high-stakes raid, Trainee IPS and Circle Officer (CO) Sandila, Shlok Gautam, was on-site with a dedicated police team to secure the premises.
During the raid, officials discovered two tankers filled with approximately 38,000 liters of milk. Alongside the massive liquid haul, authorities also seized various chemicals and materials believed to be used in the manufacturing of synthetic milk.
Synthetic Milk Production Uncovered
Preliminary investigations indicate that the facility was engaged in producing synthetic milk by mixing milk powder with various chemical additives. This fraudulent product was reportedly intended for wide-scale distribution across major urban hubs, including Lucknow and Kanpur, as well as several neighboring districts.
Food safety inspectors have collected seven samples from the seized stock. These samples have been sent for laboratory analysis to confirm the exact nature of the adulterants and the extent of the contamination.
Legal Action Pending Lab Reports
Several individuals have been detained and are currently undergoing questioning by the authorities. The dairy operator, identified as Pradeep Kumar, faces significant legal consequences once the investigation concludes.
SDM Narayani Bhatia has stated that the next steps in the legal proceedings against the operator will depend heavily on the official laboratory test reports. Once the chemical composition of the samples is confirmed, further criminal charges will be leveled against the responsible parties.
A Pattern of Food Safety Violations
This raid is not an isolated incident in the Sandila region. The area has recently come under intense scrutiny regarding food safety standards:
- May and June 2026: Social media reports alleged that a dairy owner named Pradeep Gupta was using refined oil to artificially boost the fat content in milk.
- August 2026: Authorities conducted a separate raid at a local factory where prohibited chemicals were discovered in grain products.
The latest seizure at Poonam Milk Dairy highlights the ongoing battle between food safety regulators and those attempting to profit through dangerous food adulteration.