Pune: Is Synthetic Milk Reaching Your Home? Forum Raises Alarm After Manchar Factory Bust
Pune, 8th July 2026: The arrest of a suspected gang allegedly operating an illegal chemical-adulterated milk plant in Manchar has triggered calls for a wider investigation into what activists believe could be a larger interstate network of synthetic milk manufacturers operating across Maharashtra.
The Food Safety Forum has urged the Maharashtra government to launch a multi-agency investigation, claiming preliminary findings indicate that similar illegal milk production units may have been established in several districts beyond Manchar.
According to the Forum, specialised gangs based in North India are allegedly supplying complete setups for illegal synthetic milk factories. These networks are believed to provide chemicals, equipment and technical guidance to local operators, assist in establishing and running fake milk plants, expand distribution networks, and frequently shift locations to avoid detection by law enforcement agencies.
The Forum said there is a possibility that the gang arrested in Manchar has links with one of these interstate networks, making it necessary for agencies to investigate beyond the immediate case.
Expressing concern over the alleged racket, Advocate Sameer Shaikh of the Food Safety Forum described adulterated milk as a serious public health threat.
“Adulterated milk is not just financial fraud—it is a life-threatening crime against children, pregnant women and the elderly. Milk laced with urea, detergents and vegetable oil can lead to long-term health complications, including cancer and kidney failure. The investigation must not be limited to Manchar; all plants set up by this gang must be identified and destroyed immediately,” he said.
Advocate Bhau Gavade called for coordinated action by multiple enforcement agencies.
“Tracing the ‘setup gangs’ from North India must be a top priority in this investigation. The ATS, FDA and CID must work together to uncover the entire network and bring all culprits to justice,” he said.
The Food Safety Forum has submitted five key demands to the state government. These include a coordinated investigation involving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Police, CID and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS); a statewide survey to identify and dismantle suspected synthetic milk plants; interstate coordination to arrest the alleged masterminds behind the network; stringent legal action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the National Security Act (NSA), the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), along with provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI); and a public awareness campaign to help citizens identify adulterated milk.
The Forum has also warned that it will approach the High Court by filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) if the government fails to take prompt and effective action. Advocates Sameer Shaikh and Bhau Gavade said they would closely monitor the progress of the investigation and seek judicial intervention if required.
In its appeal, the Food Safety Forum said ensuring the safety of food consumed by citizens is the government’s foremost responsibility and urged authorities to dismantle the alleged synthetic milk network before it poses a larger threat to public health across Maharashtra.
Note: The claims regarding the wider interstate network and the alleged involvement of North Indian supplier gangs have been made by the Food Safety Forum and have not yet been independently confirmed by investigating agencies.
