Kannada groups irate over FSSAI directing KMF to label curd packets as ‘Dahi’ | Azad Times

In a move that is being described as an attempt to impose Hindi language in Karnataka, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive to the Karnataka Milk Federation to label curd as 'Dahi' prominently and use 'Mosaru' (the Kannada equivalent) in brackets.

The letter from Joint Director (Science and Standard), FSSAI dated March 10, stated that the word Dahi will replace the term ‘Fermented Milk' currently labelled on curd packets. "The name 'Fermented Milk' may be replaced with designations Dahi, and Yoghurt if the product complies with the relevant provisions of this standard," read the letter. "In case of fermented products complying with the relevant provisions of Dahi, any other designation (prevalent regional common name) may be used together with the term 'Dahi’ in brackets on the label," the letter said.

"Dahi can also be labelled as per the following examples: Dahi(Curd) OR Dahi(Mosaru) OR Dahi (Zaamut daud) OR Dahi(Tayir) OR Dahi(Perugu) OR Dahi(Tair) etc., based on the regional nomenclature used in different states for Dahi," the letter added.

The letter was issued in response to representations from the Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka milk federations seeking the usage of local nomenclatures on the curd sachets. The directive from FSSAI has been opposed by Kannada groups that met KMF officials. "Look at how rules and orders are made to ensure Hindi is used in Karnataka. But over the question of having Kannada language in banks and government offices, it is only ever spoken orally and no orders are issued," says Arun Javagal, a pro-Kannada activist based in Bengaluru. 

Forcing a Karnataka based Milk Federation, selling primarily to customers in Karnataka, to use the words Dahi written in English instead of Curd is Hindi Imposition through back doors. Just because you support BJP, not necessary to support the imposition or deny the imposition.

— Single Idly (@SingleIdly) March 28, 2023

Dahi ಇರಬೇಕ ಅತವಾ curd ಇರಬೇಕ ಅನ್ನುವ ನಿರ್ಧಾರವನ್ನು ನಂದಿನಿ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅದರ ಮಾಲೀಕರು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕು. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಡೆಲ್ಲಿ ನಾಯಿಗಳ ಅಪ್ಪಣೆ ಬೇಕಾಗಿಲ್ಲ. https://t.co/RgI0tVYTRE

— ಸಜಿತ್ (@SajithGowda) March 28, 2023

#ಮೊಸರೆರಚಾಟ what nonsense is this..? #StopHindiImposition ಅದು ಮೊಸರು (Perugu) or ಮೊಸರು (Curd) ಮೊಸರು (Dahi) or ಮೊಸರು (Tayir)[email protected] there are 22 languages identified by #ConstitutionOfIndia & all are regional.. That's it.. #NandiniMosaru #ನಂದಿನಿಮೊಸರು #KMF pic.twitter.com/WBhlSk7rFj

— ಪ್ರಭು ಹರಕಂಗಿ PrabhuHarakangi (@phirregular) March 27, 2023

The milk federation has maintained a studied silence over the issue seeking time to consider the implications of the directive before issuing its response. "We need to consider the sentiments of the Kannada groups and ensure that the identity of KMF is not affected by this change," said an official working with KMF. 

KMF, which manages the popular dairy brand Nandini, and has an annual turnover of Rs 25,000 crore, is a large cooperative network of milk production, processing, and distribution that serves 26 lakh farmers in the state. 

The directive also comes at a time when the ruling BJP has been accused of attempting to merge KMF with Amul. Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement in January this year about “KMF and Amul working together” gave rise to widespread backlash from farmers in the state as well as the regional Janata Dal (Secular) party, which has historically held sway in KMF.