author(s)
Snober Irshad, MA Pal, Sadiya Sajad, Afreen Tramboo, SR Ahmad, AH Sofi and Sanmeet Kaur

abstract
The current investigation was undertaken with the aim of ascertaining the availability and utilization status of milk powder (SMP and WMP) in Kashmir. For this purpose a survey on various households and commercial establishments was undertaken. A total of 240 respondents from households and 120 from commercial establishments (wholesellers, retailers, tea stallers) were asked to respond to respective questionnaires. The results revealed that the households and commercial establishments preferred Sifti brand and Skim milk powder class for milk powder. Tins were mostly preferred by the commercial establishments and major utilization of milk powder was for making beverages. Marriages had a great influence on purchase of milk powder. The majority of households on an average consumed upto 1 kg of milk powder per month.