Milk quality and safety in the informal sector in Assam, India: governance, perceptions, and practices

Figures & data

Table 1. Different supply chain actors’ perceptions of the meaning of fresh milk*

	Producers (n = 13)	Intermediaries (n = 20)	Vendors (n = 29)	Processors (n = 10)	Total
Fresh taste	7	16	7	5	35
Fresh smell	2	3	2	0	7
Normal colour	2	1	0	0	3
Consistency (by sight)	2	1	11	6	20
Consistency (other testing)	6	5	0	1	12
Cattle health	0	1	1	0	2
Nothing has been added	0	8	0	1	9
Tested by lactometer	0	0	14	2	16
Hygiene procedures followed	0	0	1	0	1
Other	0	1	1	1	3

* The N values represent the number of respondents in each category of actor, rather than the total number of responses given per category of actor. Individual respondents may have given more than one answer.

Table 2. Practices used by different supply chain actors in Guwahati to ensure milk safety and quality*

	Producers (n = 13)	Intermediaries (n = 20)	Vendors (n = 29)	Processors (n = 10)	Total
Cleaning milk containers regularly	11	18	28	8	65
Selling milk quickly	13	20	29	n/a	62
Hand washing	7	13	23	8	51
Keeping premises/ milking areas clean	9	n/a	26	5	30

* The N values represent the number of respondents in each category of actor, rather than the total number of responses given per category of actor. Individual respondents may have given more than one answer.

Table 3. Most important factors considered by consumers in Guwahati when deciding where to buy milk (n = 41)

Trust in safety of vendor’s milk or absence of problems	24
Cleanliness	7
Health and safety certificates/licenses	3
Relationship with vendor	2
Convenience (distance)	2
Friendliness of staff	1
Price	1
Other	1

Table 4. Different supply chain actors’ opinions about who could best help them improve milk safety and quality in Assam

	Producers (n = 9)	Intermediaries (n = 17)	Vendors (n = 25)	Processors (n = 10)	Total
Government	9	11	16	7	43
Private sector	0	6	6	1	13
NGOs	0	1	2	1	4
Other	1	0	1	0	2

* The N values represent the number of respondents in each category of actor, rather than the total number of responses given per category of actor. Individual respondents may have given more than one answer.