Festive season alert: In Ghaziabad, 868 kg paneer & 170 kg khoya destroyed amid adulteration concerns

Food safety authorities have stepped up action against suspected adulteration in dairy products, with fresh raids in Ghaziabad resulting in the destruction of hundreds of kilograms of paneer and khoya.

The latest action comes shortly after a major raid in Mathura, where food safety officials reportedly seized and destroyed 1,500 kg of contaminated paneer and 3,000 litres of adulterated milk from a cheese manufacturing unit.

868 kg paneer, 170 kg khoya destroyed in Ghaziabad

The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) of Uttar Pradesh conducted raids at several dairy establishments in Ghaziabad as part of the ongoing enforcement drive against food adulteration.


The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) shared details of the action on X, along with a video of the raids.

"UPFDA conducted raids at multiple dairy establishments in Ghaziabad. 868 kg paneer & 170 kg of khoya were destroyed on the spot," FSSAI wrote in its post.

The food safety regulator added: "The nationwide campaign of FSSAI against food adulteration continues with strict enforcement & vigilance by state FDAs."

Mathura paneer raid uncovered thousands of litres of adulterated milk

The Ghaziabad action follows a recent raid on a cheese manufacturing unit in Mathura's Kosikalan area.

According to reports citing the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety Department, officials found large quantities of paneer and milk that were considered unfit for consumption. Around 1,500 kg of paneer and 3,000 litres of milk were destroyed on the spot.

FSSAI said in an earlier post: "The UP Food Safety Department raided a cheese manufacturing unit in Mathura, destroying 1,500 kg of adulterated paneer and 3,000 liters of milk on the spot."

The regulator also said that nine samples, including paneer, milk and oil, had been sent for laboratory testing.

Why milk and paneer face adulteration risks

Milk and paneer are widely consumed across India, making food adulteration in dairy products a significant food safety concern.

During enforcement drives, authorities have detected different substances being used to alter the appearance, consistency or shelf life of milk and dairy products. These can include starch, detergents and other substances that should not be present in food.

The nature and health impact of any adulterant can vary considerably, which is why suspected adulterated products are typically seized and samples sent for laboratory analysis.

What are the health risks of adulterated dairy products?

The health effects depend on the substance involved and the amount consumed. Some adulterants can cause immediate gastrointestinal problems, while exposure to certain harmful chemicals can have more serious consequences.

Consumers should therefore avoid products that appear suspicious and should not rely solely on taste, smell or appearance to determine whether a food is safe. Laboratory testing remains the more reliable way to establish the presence of specific adulterants.

How to identify adulterated paneer at home

Consumers can also use basic checks to identify unusual characteristics in paneer, although these methods cannot replace laboratory testing.

Fresh paneer generally has a characteristic milky smell and a soft, cohesive texture. Paneer that is unusually rubbery, excessively hard or has an unusual odour may warrant caution.

FSSAI's DART (Detect Adulteration with Rapid Test) initiative provides information on simple tests that consumers can use to detect certain types of food adulteration at home.

For milk, FSSAI recommends a simple water dilution check. A drop of milk can be placed on a clean, polished and sloping surface. According to the guidance, pure milk either remains in place or flows slowly while leaving a white trail, whereas milk diluted with water flows more quickly without leaving much of a mark.

FSSAI also provides a detergent detection method involving milk and water. Consumers should follow the regulator's official instructions carefully rather than treating any home test as definitive proof of adulteration.

What should consumers check before buying paneer?

Consumers can take a few basic precautions when purchasing packaged dairy products. Check the packaging, expiry or best-before date and FSSAI licence details, and buy dairy products from reputable sellers.

It is also sensible to be cautious about products being sold at prices that appear unusually low compared with comparable products.

However, appearance and price alone cannot establish whether paneer or milk is adulterated. If a product appears unsafe or suspicious, consumers should avoid consuming it and report concerns to the relevant food safety authorities.


Inputs from agencies