CMC raids milk vans, bakeries in Cuttack after adulteration allegations; samples sent for lab tests

The Cuttack Municipal Corporation’s (CMC) health team on Tuesday carried out an extensive raid in the Bidanasi area following allegations of milk adulteration in the locality.

Sources reported that the raids started early this morning, where officials inspected several mobile milk tankers that supply door-to-door in the area, checking storage containers, temperatures, and handling practices inside the vans.

Distribution counters selling loose and packaged milk were also scrutinised to verify whether the source and quality complied with existing regulations.

Health officials collected samples from tankers and counters, with inspectors checking records of milk procurement, transport conditions and sale practices. The team stated that the operation was driven by multiple complaints from residents alleging the supply of substandard milk in the locality.

Cattle Sheds, Local Bakery Also Raided

Sources added that the CMC operation extended beyond mobile vans to local dairy sheds, where cattle are reared and milked for distribution.

Officials examined sanitation in the cattle sheds, milk collection points and on-site storage. Paneer shops were also checked to verify if they were using standard milk and whether manufacturing conditions met food safety norms.

A bakery in the Bidanasi area also faced inspection, where health officers reviewed the quality of ingredients used, including milk products, storage, and labelling. According to the CMC, any irregularities will be acted upon only after laboratory analysis confirms adulteration or contamination. Further inspections have been planned if violations are detected.

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Action Comes After Large-Scale Milk Seizure in September

The heightened vigilance in Cuttack follows a high-profile case in September, where around 28,000 litres of adulterated milk were destroyed by Gurudijhatia Police on court orders following a major raid in Kusupangi. The seized milk, transported through tankers, was drained in a remote area to prevent it from entering the market.

The case led to the arrest of alleged mastermind and hotel owner Prakash Khuntia, who, along with an associate, was accused of sourcing milk from Sambalpur and supplying it through tankers before it reached consumers and commercial distributors.