Dodla Dairy Limited has issued a clarification regarding news of FSSAI initiating legal proceedings concerning its Batlagundu plant. The company stated that while a sample was found “substandard” by a primary laboratory, a referral laboratory later deemed the sample “unsafe and substandard.” Dodla Dairy has submitted a representation highlighting variations between reports and stated there is no current financial or operational impact.
Dodla Dairy Addresses FSSAI Proceedings
Dodla Dairy Limited has provided a clarification concerning recent media reports and a social media post by FSSAI, which indicated the initiation of legal proceedings for prosecution against the company and others regarding a matter at its Batlagundu plant. The company outlined the factual position based on laboratory reports and its correspondence with FSSAI.
Sample Analysis and Findings
A 500 ml sample of Dodla Dairy’s “Full Cream Milk” was drawn by FSSAI on January 9, 2026, from its facility in Nilakottai Taluk, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. The best-before date on the sample was January 12, 2026. The initial report from Monarch Nuclear Counting Laboratory on January 20, 2026, classified the sample as “substandard” concerning milk fat, while noting the absence of detergent and neutralizers.
Following an appeal, the sample was referred to the National Food Laboratory, Navi Mumbai. This laboratory’s report dated March 20, 2026, opined the sample to be “unsafe and substandard,” citing the qualitative presence of detergent/caustic soda.
Divergence and Company Response
Dodla Dairy highlighted that the two laboratory reports differed materially in findings related to milk fat, milk solids-not-fat, and adulterants. The referral laboratory received the sample on March 9, 2026, and conducted its analysis between March 10 and March 16, 2026, approximately two months after the sample’s best-before date.
On April 24, 2026, the Company submitted a representation to FSSAI, emphasizing the significant variations between the primary and referral laboratory reports. As of the date of this clarification, Dodla Dairy has not received any formal order of prosecution or sanction from FSSAI following their representation.
Commitment to Quality and Transparency
The Company expressed its respect for FSSAI’s role and its commitment to full cooperation, including providing any required records or information. Dodla Dairy affirmed that quality and consumer safety are top priorities, with each batch of milk undergoing stringent testing. The company stated that there is no financial or operational impact on the company at this point in time and will disclose any material developments.
Source: BSE
