Practical Measures to Ensure State Control of Milk and Dairy Products

On May 15, 2026, a meeting was held of the Scientific and Methodological Council of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection – Food Safety Section.

The agenda included a review of the «Guidelines for risk-based inspections regarding market operators’ compliance with safety and quality requirements for milk and dairy products» (hereinafter referred to as the «Guidelines»).

Seventy-five people participated in the meeting, including a Member of the Scientific and Methodological Council of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, Head of the Department of Nutrition Hygiene and Safety of Food Products at our State Institution «Marzieiev Institute for Public Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine,» Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Mariia HULICH.

It is worth noting that Ukraine is currently implementing the Raw Milk Control Program based on the «Dairy Module» software, which aims to harmonize raw milk control in Ukraine with EU requirements and ensure traceability regarding the quality and safety of dairy products as well as the rapid exchange of data.

Despite the challenging circumstances during martial law, the Program continues to expand in Ukraine, demonstrating the responsibility of market participants and a shared understanding of the importance of transparent milk quality control.

Therefore, the goal of the «Guidelines» is to implement a unified approach to ensuring traceability regarding the quality and safety of dairy products. The main objective of the «Guidelines» is to define key approaches for state inspectors and provide practical recommendations for carrying out state control measures (inspections) of milk and dairy product market operators based on a risk-based approach. What is new is that the developed «Guidelines» constitute a distance learning course for inspectors and authorized persons – «Risk-Based Inspection of Milk and Dairy Product Market Operators.»

To strengthen the practical component and ensure their effective application, video materials have been developed that will allow inspectors to see in practice the application of the risk-based approach, the algorithm of actions during an inspection, the identification of risk factors, and approaches to the classification of non-conformities.

Professor Mariia HULICH, Head of the Department of Nutrition Hygiene and Safety of Food Products at the SI «IPH NAMSU,» participated in the discussion.

She emphasized that the issue of high-quality, safe milk and dairy products is particularly important for children, as these are among their primary food sources. At the same time, the quality of dairy products for children must be guaranteed. Therefore, carrying out state control measures and ensuring their implementation in practice is crucial for maintaining milk and dairy product quality standards in accordance with EU requirements.

Following the conclusion of the discussion, a unanimous decision was made:

«To approve the ‘Guidelines on Risk-Based Inspection Regarding Market Operators’ Compliance with Safety and Quality Requirements for Milk and Dairy Products,’ to forward them for publication, and to implement them within the framework of the law.»

(date of publication on the website: 15.05.2026)