Report

Pharmacy students at SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS)-Hyderabad in Jadcherla conducted a simple test on the campus mess’s paneer, revealing that it was allegedly synthetic. A video taken during the test showed the paneer cubes turning bluish-black when they applied tincture iodine.

What is Synthetic Paneer?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) defines an analogue in dairy products like paneer as a product that replaces essential milk components, such as milk fat and protein, with non-milk ingredients like vegetable oils, fats, or plant-based proteins.

Students Fall Ill After Consuming Contaminated Paneer

Last Thursday, over 170 students fell ill, with at least 30 requiring hospitalization after consuming the allegedly synthetic paneer. Initially, the students received treatment in the campus library and communal areas, seemingly to downplay the issue. However, after intervention from the local legislator, the students were moved to a medical centre for proper care.

University Accused of Minimizing the Issue

Students accuse the university administration of minimizing the situation by downplaying the number of affected students and calling it an isolated incident. They believe the incident stemmed from “extended administrative neglect.” A preliminary list compiled by students on Thursday showed that 29 victims were from the Pharmacy program, 77 from the Law program, and 8 from the Management program.

Source: The Hindu