Detergent in Milk Test and 3 FSSAI Cases to Know Before Diwali
Bran from bags marked "cattle feed," allegedly going into biscuits. Detergent or caustic soda reported in a packet of full cream milk. Pesticide residues above the legal limit in organic kishmish. FSSAI flagged all three on 17 October 2026, just as Diwali shopping lists are getting longer.
So what can you check at home? For milk, FSSAI has a simple detergent in milk test you can do in a glass. For biscuits and kishmish, no kitchen test can catch what FSSAI found. There, your tools are careful buying, washing, and complaining when something seems off.
| Product | What FSSAI says it found | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Biscuits (Priyagold) | Alleged use of bran meant for cattle feed as a fibre source, plus hygiene lapses at the plant | No home test exists. Check the pack, and complain if a product looks, smells or tastes wrong |
| Full cream milk (Dodla Dairy) | Detergent or caustic soda, and milk fat below the minimum, as per a referral lab | Try FSSAI's DART foam test for detergent. Only a lab can confirm |
| Organic yellow raisins (Ueir Organic Foods) | Pesticide residues above permitted limits | Cannot be checked at home. Wash before use, as ICMR-NIN advises |
What did FSSAI find in Priyagold biscuits, milk and raisins?
On 17 October, FSSAI said on its official X account that it had started legal proceedings for prosecution against three companies "for serious food safety violations." These are allegations. No court has ruled on them yet.
Priyagold biscuits
According to FSSAI, an inspection of Surya Food & Agro Ltd., the maker of Priyagold biscuits, took place after a consumer complaint. Officials found bran meant for cattle feed, not for human consumption, being used as a source of fibre in the biscuits. The gunny bags holding it were marked for cattle feed, Business Today reported. FSSAI also listed gaps in plant hygiene, pest control, raw material storage, staff hygiene and upkeep of the premises. The company's licence was suspended first, and prosecution was sanctioned later.
Dodla Dairy full cream milk
The first food analyst called the milk sample substandard because its fat was below the standard. After the company appealed, a referral lab found it unsafe due to "detergent/caustic soda" and substandard due to low milk fat, Business Standard reported, quoting FSSAI. Prosecution was then sanctioned.
Dodla Dairy disputes this. In a filing to the stock exchanges on 18 October, the company said the first lab report recorded detergent and neutralisers as absent. It also said the referral lab tested the sample between 10 and 16 March 2026, about two months after the 12 January best-before date printed on it. The company says it has sent FSSAI a representation and has not received a formal prosecution order.
Ueir Organic Foods yellow raisins
A sample of organic yellow raisins was declared unsafe because pesticide residues were above the maximum limits. The first lab report listed several pesticides, including azoxystrobin, imidacloprid and tebuconazole, according to The Hans India. On appeal, a referral lab confirmed that thiamethoxam and fluopyram metabolites were over the limit.
When we checked, we could not find a public response from Surya Food & Agro or Ueir Organic Foods. FSSAI also sent notices to three other businesses: Narpadham Foods, Sun Ridges Health Carers and Ms Sha Kantilal Jayantilal.
How do you check detergent in milk at home?
FSSAI's DART (Detect Adulteration with Rapid Test) guide gives this test:
- Take 5 to 10 ml of milk.
- Add the same amount of water.
- Shake it well.
- Look at the foam. Milk with detergent forms a dense lather. Pure milk forms only a very thin layer of foam from the shaking.
Two limits. DART lists no home test for caustic soda, so this only looks for detergent. And a home test is not a lab test: it can point to a problem, not prove one. In the Dodla case, the first lab and the referral lab reached different results on the same sample. A kitchen glass cannot settle that.
If you see a thick lather, stop using that batch, keep the packet, and complain (see below). Making mithai at home? The khoya checks are in our post on how to check fake khoya and mithai.
ICMR-NIN's Dietary Guidelines for Indians (2024) say it is "advisable to buy pasteurized milk only," and that butter, ghee and khoa should come from reliable sources.
Can you tell if biscuits or packaged snacks are adulterated?
Honestly, not the kind of problem FSSAI describes here. No home test shows what grade of bran went into a biscuit. Problems like this come out through inspections, and this one started with a consumer complaint.
When you shop for Diwali hampers and namkeen:
- Look at the pack itself. Torn, puffed or resealed packets go back on the shelf.
- Open and inspect. ICMR-NIN says food should be free from infestation, mould and foreign matter like insect remains. Any of these is a reason to stop eating it and report it.
- Trust your nose. A stale, rancid or chemical smell is enough reason not to eat it.
- Keep the wrapper. The batch number and manufacturer details help if you file a complaint.
To read dates and the FSSAI licence number on the label, see Best Before vs Use By. If you're wondering how processed biscuits are, our ultra-processed foods list for India covers that.
Is there pesticide in raisins and dry fruits, and can you check it at home?
You cannot check pesticide residue at home. No colour or water test will tell you whether a pesticide is over the legal limit. That needs lab equipment.
What ICMR-NIN does say in its 2024 guidelines is that pesticide residue exposure "can be minimized by washing the food stuffs thoroughly in running water or by peeling," and that cooking can also reduce residues. For kishmish, that means a good rinse under running water before you eat it or add it to kheer or halwa. Washing reduces residue. It does not guarantee that all of it is gone.
One more lesson from this case: the raisins were sold as organic. An "organic" label is not a reason to skip washing.
How do you complain to FSSAI about adulterated food?
The Priyagold inspection started with a consumer complaint. When you speak up, an inspection can follow. Here is how to make your complaint count.
- Keep the evidence. Keep the packet or wrapper with the batch number, the bill, and some of the product if you can. Take clear photos.
- File the complaint. FSSAI's Food Safety Connect app works anywhere in India. We explained how it works in our food adulteration test at home guide. You can also contact your state's food safety department.
- Know you can get food tested yourself. Under Section 40 of the FSS Act, a consumer can collect a food sample and get it analysed by paying a fee, as the Delhi Department of Food Safety explains.
- Ordered online? The delivery-side steps are in our quick commerce food safety checklist.
With Dhanteras on 6 November and Diwali on 8 November, milk, khoya and dry fruits are about to sell in bulk. A quick foam test, a rinse under the tap and saved wrappers are sensible habits for the season.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check detergent in milk at home?
Mix 5 to 10 ml of milk with an equal amount of water and shake well. A dense lather suggests detergent. Pure milk forms only a thin foam, as per FSSAI's DART guide. Only a lab test can confirm the result.
What did FSSAI find in Priyagold biscuits?
FSSAI said an inspection found bran meant for cattle feed being used as a fibre source, along with hygiene lapses. The licence of the maker, Surya Food & Agro Ltd., was suspended and prosecution was sanctioned. These are allegations, not a court ruling.
Does washing remove pesticides from raisins?
ICMR-NIN says washing thoroughly under running water, peeling and cooking can reduce pesticide residues. It lowers residues but may not remove all of them.
Where can I complain about adulterated food in India?
Use FSSAI's Food Safety Connect app or contact your state food safety department. Keep the packet, batch number and bill as evidence.
This article is general information, not medical advice.
Between festive meals, if you'd like something other than sugary drinks, you can explore Amaayu's functional waters.