Spectral ranges 1600–995 cm−1 and 3040–2851 cm−1 showed differences in adulterated samples. PCA showed discrete clustering of samples based on level of detergent. Developed models could correctly classify more than 93% test samples. Developed models could detect as low as 0.2% detergent in milk (P ⩽ 0.05). ATR-FTIR spectroscopy is rapid method for assessing anionic detergent in milk.