Bhubaneswar, 18 February (H.S.): Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik informed the State Assembly on Wednesday that eight out of 88 milk and milk product samples tested in Odisha were found to be sub-standard.

Replying to a query raised by MLA Tankadhar Tripathy, the Minister said the samples were examined by the Food Safety Commissionerate under the Health and Family Welfare Department.

According to data from the State Food Testing Laboratory in Bhubaneswar, a total of 88 samples of milk and milk products were analysed during 2025. Of these, 80 samples conformed to the prescribed standards, while eight failed to meet quality norms and were categorised as sub-standard. However, no sample was found to be unsafe or misbranded during the testing period.

The Minister further informed the House that, apart from OMFED, at least 22 companies are engaged in the milk and milk products business in the state, including 10 companies based within Odisha and 12 operating from outside the state.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda