A independent lab report posted online this week claims that popular packaged milk brands — including Amul, Mother Dairy, and Country Delight — showed unusually high levels of coliform bacteria and total plate counts in tests, raising safety concerns among consumers.

However, health experts and regulators say such claims need careful context and official verification before jumping to conclusions about the safety of everyday dairy products.

🧪 What the Viral Lab Report Claims

An independent testing platform called Trustified shared blind lab test results reportedly showing:

• Amul Taaza and Amul Gold pouch milk had coliform counts up to 98 times higher than the limits set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of india (FSSAI).
• Mother Dairy pouch milk had total plate counts nearly eight times above safety limits.
• Country Delight milk also showed elevated bacterial counts above FSSAI thresholds.

Both coliform levels (often used as indicators of hygiene and possible contamination) and total plate count (TPC) (a measure of how many bacteria overall are present) were reportedly above regulated limits in these tests.

🔍 What Does Coliform in Milk Mean?

“Coliform” refers to a broad group of bacteria that includes many harmless organisms found in soil and water — and sometimes, certain milder kinds can be present if milk is not handled or processed correctly.

Here’s what health experts generally say about coliforms in milk:

• Indicator of hygiene: High coliform counts may signal poor sanitation, incomplete pasteurisation, or contamination during packaging or transportation.
• Not automatically dangerous: Many coliforms are not harmful by themselves, though their presence can indicate conditions where more harmful bacteria might also exist.
• E. coli is a specific coliform — and when present, it can cause illness. But the tests so far have not publicly confirmed which types of coliform bacteria were found.

🧪 What Experts and Regulators Say

So far:

• FSSAI has not issued an official confirmation of these lab findings or stated that products have failed regulatory tests.
• Amul and other brands have disputed the viral results, saying they follow extensive internal quality checks and comply with safety standards before products reach consumers.
• Independent food safety scientists stress that single lab reports on social media cannot replace official testing by authorised regulators. They further note that sample handling, storage, and testing procedures can influence results.

🥛 Why Packaged Milk Is Usually Safe

Most packaged milk brands in india are required by law to:

• Pasteurise milk, killing harmful bacteria through heat treatment, and
• Follow strict quality and hygiene standards monitored by FSSAI.

In many cases, milk sold in UHT‑treated tetra packs (longer shelf life products) consistently shows little to no microbial growth in tests — indicating that proper sterilisation works as intended.

🏠 Tips for Consumers

Even with these reports circulating, you can take simple precautions that food safety experts recommend:

✔ Boil pouch milk at home — a traditional practice in many indian households — which helps reduce bacterial load.
✔ Keep milk refrigerated and store it at safe temperatures to prevent bacterial growth.
✔ Avoid leaving opened milk at room temperature for long periods.
✔ Prefer UHT tetra pack milk if you want the lowest possible bacterial exposure without boiling.

🧠 Should You Worry?

At this stage:

• The viral lab claims have not been verified by FSSAI or other official food safety bodies.
• Independent reports sometimes overstate results without standardised sampling protocols.
• High bacterial counts may reflect processing or handling issues in specific batches or regions, not necessarily a nationwide safety failure.

So it’s wise to stay informed but also wait for official regulatory confirmation and guidance before assuming widespread risk.

📍 Takeaway

Packaged milk in india is generally considered safe when produced and stored properly. Recent viral claims about coliform bacteria in brands like Amul and Mother Dairy stem from independent testing shared online, but they have not yet been proven or confirmed by government regulators. Official results and transparent testing are essential before drawing firm conclusions about milk safety — and consumers should continue following food safety best practices in the meantime.

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.