Under the drive, food safety authorities will conduct intensive inspections of licensed and unlicensed dairy units, draw enforcement samples, verify food business operators (FBO) registrations, and trace sources of adulteration.

Strict action, including licence cancellation, seizures, recalls, and closure of illegal units, has also been mandated, official sources added.

The FSSAI had carried out similar drives during September-October this year when there was a spike in demand for milk and milk products during the festive time.

Food Safety Officers have been asked to test samples of milk, paneer and khoya in accordance with prescribed procedures.

“States and UTs have been asked to initiate strict enforcement action wherever violations are detected,” official sources said.

Officials said the move is aimed at reinforcing consumer confidence, preventing food fraud and ensuring the availability of safe and genuine milk products across the country, sources added.

FSSAI has also instructed states to ensure real-time reporting on the FOSCOS (Food Safety Compliance System), submit fortnightly enforcement reports, and strengthen inter-state coordination to curb the spread of adulterated milk products, official sources said.