The Indian Army has rejected a large consignment of whole milk powder supplied by Punjab’s dairy cooperative Punjab State Cooperative Milk Producers Federation Limited (Milkfed) under the popular dairy brand Verka after it reportedly failed quality checks. Officials said nearly 125 metric tonnes of whole milk powder supplied by the Ludhiana unit of Verka were rejected after laboratory testing conducted by the Army raised concerns over quality standards.
According to official sources, the rejected supply consisted of two separate batches. The first batch weighed 58.338 metric tonnes, while the second batch weighed 66.654 metric tonnes. Both consignments were supplied by the Ludhiana District Cooperative Milk Producers Union, which produces dairy products under the Verka brand. The samples taken from these batches reportedly did not meet the Army’s strict quality parameters, leading authorities to reject the entire shipment.
The rejection was formally communicated through a letter issued by the Officer Commanding of an Army Service Corps unit based in Jammu. The letter informed the Ludhiana milk union that the consignment was being rejected after failing quality checks conducted by the Army. A copy of the communication was also sent to the Chief Director of Purchase and Food Inspection Organisation under the Ministry of Defence (India) for further action and review.
Following the development, Milkfed officials acknowledged the issue and announced an internal investigation. Milkfed Managing Director Rahul Gupta said the cooperative maintains strict quality control measures during the preparation, packaging, and distribution of milk and dairy products. He emphasized that Milkfed is known for maintaining high standards and supplies products across multiple markets.
Gupta confirmed that the cooperative has decided to set up a fact-finding committee to determine the exact reason behind the rejection of the milk powder. The committee will examine the entire production and supply process, including manufacturing practices, testing procedures, storage conditions, and transportation, to identify whether any lapse occurred at any stage.
The Verka brand has long been regarded as one of Punjab’s most trusted dairy brands, with Milkfed being among the largest dairy cooperatives in India. The federation supplies a wide range of dairy products including milk, butter, ghee, cheese, and milk powder to both retail and institutional buyers.
The rejection of such a large quantity of milk powder by the Indian Army has drawn attention within the dairy sector, as government supplies—especially those meant for defense forces—must meet extremely strict quality and safety standards. Industry experts say the outcome of the Milkfed inquiry will be important in determining whether the issue was related to production quality, storage conditions, or other factors in the supply chain.
Also Read
Badshah Tateeree Song Row: Haryana Women’s Panel Orders Police Action After Rapper Skips Hearing
For now, the rejected consignment remains under scrutiny while the fact-finding committee begins its investigation. Milkfed officials say appropriate action will be taken once the committee submits its findings.