Milk & Dairy Product Testing Lab in India

India produces over 230 million tonnes of milk every year, and every litre that reaches a packaged-food brand, a quick-commerce shelf, or an export container has to clear a regulatory bar that is tightening every year. Auriga Research is a milk testing lab in India built for that bar — NABL-accredited under ISO/IEC 17025:2017, FSSAI-notified, and recognised by the Export Inspection Council (EIC) for Milk & Milk Products analysis under EIC export norms.

Mandatory dairy testing in India is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011, with category-specific Indian Standards (IS 1166 milk, IS 3508 ghee, IS 10484 paneer, IS 2802 ice cream) and the FSS (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations 2020 for infant formula. Our laboratory covers all of them — compositional analysis, adulteration detection, microbiological safety, antibiotic residues, aflatoxin M1, heavy metals, and category-specific authenticity tests — for liquid milk, ghee, butter, paneer, cheese, curd, ice cream, and infant formula.

Backed by the Arbro Group's analytical heritage — Arbro Lab since 1990, Auriga Research since 2007 — with NABL ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, our certificates are accepted by FSSAI licensing officers, State Food Safety Officers, EIC Export Inspection Agencies, and international buyers across EU, Middle East, ASEAN, and African markets.

Milk & Dairy Testing Parameters

Every parameter is mapped to its validated method and the regulatory limit it supports — so QA, procurement, and export teams can match scope to specification at a glance.

Gerber

Fat Content

Fat content by the Gerber method and Rose-Gottlieb gravimetric method for liquid milk and high-fat dairy.

SNF

Solids Not Fat

SNF by lactometer and gravimetry — verifies the dilution baseline for declared milk type.

Kjeldahl

Protein

Total protein by Kjeldahl method per AOAC 991.20 with the appropriate nitrogen-to-protein factor for dairy.

Cryoscopy

Added Water

Added water detection by freezing point depression (cryoscopy) — primary screen for the most common milk adulteration.

Adulterants

Adulteration Screen

Urea, starch, glucose, detergents, neutralisers, formalin, hydrogen peroxide — full FSSAI Manual of Methods panel.

GC-MS

Synthetic Milk

Synthetic milk component detection by GC-MS fatty acid profiling and unsaponifiable matter analysis.

GC-FID

Fatty Acid Profile

Full fatty acid profile by GC-FID — detects vegetable oil substitution of milk fat in ghee, butter, and paneer.

Micro

Microbiological Safety

TPC, coliform, E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, S. aureus, and Cronobacter for infant formula.

LC-MS/MS

Antibiotic Residues

Antibiotic and veterinary drug residues (β-lactams, tetracyclines, sulphonamides, macrolides) by LC-MS/MS against EU MRLs.

Aflatoxin M1

Aflatoxin M1 by ELISA and HPLC — at the FSSAI 0.5 µg/kg limit for liquid milk and the 0.025 µg/kg infant formula limit.

ICP-MS

Heavy Metals

Lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and tin by ICP-MS at FSSAI and EU Commission Regulation 2023/915 limits.

Melamine

Melamine & Cyanuric Acid

Melamine and cyanuric acid by LC-MS/MS at the FSSAI 1.0 mg/kg limit (0.15 mg/kg for infant formula).

Phosphatase

Pasteurisation Check

Alkaline phosphatase test to confirm pasteurisation efficacy in liquid milk and cream.

BR / RM

Ghee Authenticity

Butyro-refractometer reading at 40 °C, Reichert-Meissl value, polenske value, and Baudouin test for ghee adulteration.

Testing by Dairy Product Category

Each dairy product has its own FSSAI / IS specification and its own dominant failure modes. Jump to the category that matches your product.

Liquid Milk

FSS (Food Products Standards) Regulations 2011, IS 1166

FatSNFProteinAcidityFreezing point / added waterPhosphatase (pasteurisation check)TPC, coliform, Salmonella, ListeriaAntibiotic residues (LC-MS/MS)Aflatoxin M1Heavy metals (ICP-MS)Melamine

Ghee & Butter

FSS Regulations 2011, IS 3508 (ghee), IS 13690 (butter)

Moisture & FFAReichert-Meissl (RM) valuePolenske valueKirschner valueButyro-refractometer at 40 °CBaudouin test (sesame oil)Fatty acid profile (GC-FID)Phytosterols (vegetable oil detection)Peroxide valueHeavy metals

Paneer & Cheese

FSS Regulations 2011, IS 10484 (paneer), IS 2785 / 9617 (cheese)

Fat on dry basisMoisture contentTitratable aciditypHTotal solidsStarch & vegetable oil adulterationTPC, coliform, yeast & mouldListeria, E. coli, SalmonellaPreservatives (benzoic, sorbic acid)Heavy metals

Curd & Yogurt

FSS Regulations 2011, IS 9617 / IS 13796

FatSNFTitratable acidityLactic acid bacteria viabilityTPC, yeast & mouldColiform, E. coliPreservatives

Ice Cream

FSS Regulations 2011, IS 2802

FatTotal solidsProteinAcidityOverrun (% air incorporation)TPC, coliform, SalmonellaPermitted colours and emulsifiersStabiliser content

Infant Formula

FSS (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations 2020, Codex STAN 72

Macronutrients (protein, fat, carbs)Fatty acids — DHA, ARA, LA, ALA (GC-FID)Amino acids (HPLC / LC-MS/MS)Nucleotides (HPLC)Vitamins and mineralsAflatoxin M1 ≤ 0.025 µg/kg (strictest dairy limit)Lead ≤ 0.01 mg/kgMelamine ≤ 1.0 mg/kg3-MCPD and glycidyl estersCronobacter (E. sakazakii) zero in 10 gSalmonella zero in 25 g

How It Works

Get a Quote

Share your product type and the parameters you need tested. Your dedicated SPOC will confirm the testing scope, the applicable method, and the exact sample quantity required for your specific panel before you dispatch anything.

Send Your Sample

Dispatch your sample with a completed Test Request Form to the nearest Auriga lab. Each sample is individually bar coded and registered in YLIMS, Auriga's in-house Laboratory Information Management System, upon receipt. Testing begins within 24 hours of sample registration.

Testing and QA Review

Your sample is tested against the confirmed validated method by Auriga's scientific team. Every result passes through a formal internal QA review and sign-off before the report is generated.

Receive Your NABL Report

Your NABL-accredited test report is delivered digitally within the committed turnaround time. Reports carry Auriga's NABL accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and are accepted by FSSAI, APEDA, EIC, and major international buyers. You can track your sample status in real time through YLIMS at any point in the process.

Turnaround Time

Panel	Standard TAT	Express
Compositional analysis (fat, SNF, protein, acidity)	3–5 business days	Available
Adulteration screening panel	5–7 business days	Available
Ghee authenticity (RM, BR, GC-FID, Baudouin)	5–7 business days	Available
Paneer / cheese full panel (compositional + adulteration + micro)	7–10 business days	On request
Microbiological panel (TPC, coliform, pathogens)	5–10 business days	Available
Antibiotic residues (LC-MS/MS)	7–10 business days	Available
Aflatoxin M1	5–7 business days	Available
Infant formula full Codex STAN 72 panel	14–18 business days	On request
EIC export-compliance package	7–10 business days	Available

Who Needs This Testing

Dairy cooperatives and large milk processors needing FSSAI batch release and routine surveillance reports.
Private dairy brands sourcing from multiple collection centres who need supplier QA and incoming-tanker testing.
Ghee and butter manufacturers needing RM value, BR reading, GC-FID fatty acid profile, and Baudouin / phytosterol screening for purity.
D2C dairy brands launching on Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, Zepto, and BigBasket where an analyst-verified report is now a listing prerequisite.
Infant formula manufacturers and importers requiring full Codex STAN 72 scope including aflatoxin M1 at ≤0.025 µg/kg.
EIC export-registered dairy units shipping to EU, GCC, ASEAN, and African destinations who need EIC-compatible CoAs.
Retail chains, QSR brands, and HoReCa companies verifying supplier dairy quality before listing or contract renewal.
Brands contesting an FSSAI surveillance finding or a marketplace delisting with an NABL-accredited counter-report.

Why Auriga for Dairy Testing

Arbro Group analytical heritage

Established analytical heritage through the Arbro Group (Arbro Lab since 1990, Auriga Research since 2007), with NABL ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation — the audit trail FSSAI, EIC, and procurement teams look for in a dairy-testing partner.

Dual NABL + FSSAI notification + EIC recognition

Milk & Milk Products tested as per EIC norms for export compliance. Reports carry evidentiary weight in FSSAI proceedings and Export Inspection Agency dispatch certification.

Full residue and contaminant scope under one roof

ICP-MS for heavy metals, LC-MS/MS for antibiotic residues, in-house GC-FID and IRMS for fat and adulteration authenticity — no partner-lab dependency, no sample-splitting delays.

Category-specific dairy expertise

Dedicated workflows for liquid milk, ghee & butter, paneer & cheese, curd, ice cream, and infant formula — not a one-size-fits-all dairy panel.

Five regional labs

Delhi, Gurugram, Bangalore, Baddi, and Bahadurgarh — closer to your processing plant or warehouse means lower sample-courier risk and faster despatch.

Export-compliance package

EIC-compatible CoA against EU MRLs (Commission Regulation 2023/915 for contaminants, 37/2010 for veterinary residues), GCC GSO specifications, and ASEAN destination limits.

Milk Adulteration — Quick Summary

Dairy adulteration is the largest single contamination category in Indian food testing — FSSAI's National Milk Safety and Quality Survey 2018 found 10.4% of samples non-conforming, with water addition, urea, starch, detergents, and synthetic milk components dominating the failure modes. Our dairy panel includes adulteration screening as standard.

See the full Adulteration Testing scope across all food categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What parameters are tested in milk testing labs for FSSAI compliance?

FSSAI-compliant milk testing covers fat content (Gerber method), SNF (Solids Not Fat), protein, acidity, added water detection via freezing point depression, adulteration screening (urea, starch, detergents, neutralisers), microbiological parameters (TPC, coliforms, Salmonella, Listeria), antibiotic residues, aflatoxin M1, and heavy metals. The specific panel depends on the milk type — toned, standardised, or full cream — and the product category (liquid milk, paneer, ghee, cheese).

How do you detect adulteration in milk samples?

Our milk adulteration testing uses both rapid screening and confirmatory instrumental methods. Added water is detected by freezing point depression (cryoscopy). Starch adulteration is confirmed by iodine reaction. Urea is quantified by spectrophotometry. Detergents and neutralisers are detected by specific chemical reactions. Synthetic milk components are identified by GC-MS fatty acid profiling. Formalin and hydrogen peroxide (illegal preservatives) are detected by colorimetric methods. For full adulteration scope across all dairy categories see our dedicated adulteration testing page.

What are FSSAI fat and SNF standards for different milk types?

FSSAI standards specify: Full cream milk — minimum 6.0% fat, 9.0% SNF. Standardised milk — minimum 4.5% fat, 8.5% SNF. Toned milk — minimum 3.0% fat, 8.5% SNF. Double toned milk — minimum 1.5% fat, 9.0% SNF. Skimmed milk — maximum 0.5% fat, minimum 8.7% SNF. These are minimum requirements and testing verifies compliance with both regulatory standards and the brand declared specifications on the label.

How is ghee tested for purity and adulteration?

Ghee purity testing combines compositional measurement with adulteration screening. Compositional parameters include moisture, free fatty acids (FFA), Reichert-Meissl (RM) value, polenske value, Kirschner value, peroxide value, and butyro-refractometer (BR) reading at 40 °C — the RM value and BR reading together provide a strong screening signal for cow versus buffalo ghee. For vegetable-oil adulteration we use the Baudouin test (sesame oil) and phytosterol detection by GC. For mineral oil and paraffin admixture we run GC-MS on the unsaponifiable fraction. Full GC-FID fatty acid profiling resolves blending with cheaper edible oils — palm, soybean, sunflower — by deviation from the reference monograph profile. All ghee testing follows the FSS (Food Products Standards) Regulations 2011 and IS 3508 specifications.

How is paneer tested for FSSAI compliance?

Paneer testing covers compositional parameters — fat on dry basis (minimum 50% for full-fat, 25–50% for medium-fat, less than 25% for low-fat per FSSAI), moisture content (maximum 60% for full-fat paneer), titratable acidity (as lactic acid, indicates freshness), pH, and total solids. Adulteration testing screens for starch addition (iodine test, confirmatory HPLC), vegetable oil substitution of milk fat (GC-FID fatty acid profile and phytosterol detection), and synthetic milk-derived paneer. Microbiological testing covers TPC, coliforms, yeast and mould, E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and S. aureus. Additional tests include preservatives (benzoic acid, sorbic acid), acid value of extracted fat, and packaging migration if requested.

What is the testing protocol for infant formula?

Infant formula carries the strictest limits of any FSSAI food category. Compositional testing covers macronutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrates), individual fatty acids by GC-FID (DHA, ARA, linoleic, linolenic), amino acids by HPLC / LC-MS/MS, nucleotides by HPLC (5′-CMP, UMP, AMP, GMP, IMP), vitamins and minerals at FSSAI infant nutrition limits, and choline. Contaminant testing includes aflatoxin M1 at the infant formula limit of ≤0.025 µg/kg (the strictest dairy limit under FSSAI), heavy metals (lead at ≤0.01 mg/kg infant limit), melamine (≤1.0 mg/kg), 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters, and pesticide residues. Microbiological scope covers TPC, Enterobacteriaceae, Cronobacter (Enterobacter sakazakii) zero tolerance per 10 g, Salmonella zero in 25 g, and presumptive Bacillus cereus. All testing follows the FSS (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations 2020 and Codex Alimentarius STAN 72.

How long does dairy product testing take and what is the turnaround time?

Routine milk compositional analysis (fat, SNF, protein, acidity) is completed within 3-5 business days. Adulteration screening panels take 5-7 business days. Microbiological testing requires 5-10 business days depending on the organisms tested (Salmonella enrichment takes longer). Antibiotic residue testing by LC-MS/MS takes 7-10 business days. Expedited turnaround is available for urgent requirements — contact our laboratory for specific timelines.

Can you test dairy products for export compliance including EIC certification?

Yes. Auriga tests milk and milk products as per EIC (Export Inspection Council) norms for export compliance — our dairy reports are accepted by the Export Inspection Agencies in their dispatch certification workflow for shipments to EU, Middle East, ASEAN, and Africa. Export testing covers compositional analysis, microbiological safety, antibiotic residues with reporting against EU MRLs (Commission Regulation 37/2010 and 2023 updates), aflatoxin M1 at EU 0.05 µg/kg, heavy metals against EU Commission Regulation 2023/915, melamine, and species verification by PCR where required. We also test against US FDA pasteurised milk ordinance limits and Gulf Cooperation Council (GSO) specifications. Our NABL-accredited certificates are accepted by export inspection agencies, FSSAI authorities, and international buyers.

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