How to check if your milk has detergent?

By Sohail Khan 8 September 2026, 6:18 pm

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How to check at home if your milk has detergent? Try this simple milk test to spot possible adulteration
Synopsis

Milk test: Testing milk for possible detergent adulteration at home is relatively simple. By vigorously shaking a small sample of milk, you can observe the foam that forms. Excessive or persistent bubbling may indicate the possible presence of detergent, as detergents contain surfactants that can increase foam stability. To reduce the risk of adulteration, always buy milk from trusted suppliers and check the packaging and labels carefully. However, a home test can only serve as a preliminary check; laboratory testing is the most reliable way to confirm milk adulteration.

What is Milk Adulteration? — FSSAI shares simple home test to check milk adulteration

Milk is a daily staple in many Indian households, whether it is consumed on its own, added to tea and coffee, or used to prepare curd, paneer and other foods. But concerns around milk adulteration have made it increasingly important for consumers to know how to identify possible contamination.

Detergent is among the adulterants that may be added to milk to alter its appearance, consistency or frothiness. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has demonstrated a simple test that can be carried out at home to check for possible detergent adulteration.

How to check for detergent in milk at home

In a video shared on Instagram, FSSAI demonstrated a basic method that requires only a small quantity of milk and a glass.

To carry out the test:

Take around 5-10 ml of milk in a small glass.
Shake the milk vigorously.
Observe whether bubbles or foam form on the surface.

According to the demonstration, the formation of visible bubbles can indicate the possible presence of detergent, while milk that does not produce such bubbles is considered unadulterated under this screening test.

Why does adulterated milk form more bubbles?

The difference is linked to surface-active substances. Detergents and soaps contain surfactants, which can reduce the surface tension of a liquid.

When milk containing such substances is shaken, the surfactants can help stabilise air bubbles by forming a film around them. As a result, the bubbles may remain visible for longer instead of collapsing quickly.

Pure milk can also produce some foam when shaken, so this simple test should be treated as a preliminary home check rather than definitive proof of adulteration.

How to identify adulterated milk

Consumers can take a few precautions when buying and storing milk. Purchasing milk from reliable sources and checking the packaging carefully can help reduce the risk of buying a compromised product.

Before buying packaged milk, check the seal and packaging for signs of damage or tampering. Consumers should also check the label, expiry or best-before information and other details printed on the package.

Check the FSSAI licence details

The FSSAI advises consumers to pay attention to food safety and licensing information on packaged products. Consumers can check the FSSAI logo and licence details printed on food packaging and verify the relevant information where applicable.

A valid FSSAI licence number can help consumers identify whether a food business is operating under the country's food safety regulatory framework.

Should you choose cartons over milk pouches?

Packaging alone does not guarantee that milk is free from adulteration. Both cartons and pouches can be safe when properly manufactured, handled, stored and transported.

Consumers should therefore focus on factors such as the integrity of the packaging, storage conditions, expiry or best-before dates and the reliability of the seller rather than assuming that one type of packaging is automatically safer than another.

Checking milk quality

Milk is consumed frequently, making food safety particularly important. While a simple home test may help consumers become more alert to possible adulteration, laboratory testing remains the appropriate way to confirm whether an adulterant is actually present.

If milk shows unusual changes in smell, colour, texture or appearance, it is best to avoid consuming it and seek guidance from the relevant food safety authorities or the manufacturer.

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