Key Development 

Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh has urged people to make paneer and ghee at home or buy only from trusted brands, following shocking food safety test results. Speaking at a press conference in Chandigarh, he revealed that paneer and ghee top the list of adulterated food items in the state. The health department tested 531 paneer samples across Punjab. Of these, 196 failed quality checks, and 59 were declared unsafe due to starch and harmful chemical content. Dr. Singh advised people to avoid loose paneer sold in markets and instead make it at home using curdled boiled milk or buy it from reliable brands like the government-owned Verka.

Ghee Samples Also Raise Red Flags

Desi ghee followed closely behind paneer in adulteration. Out of 222 ghee samples tested, 20 were substandard, and 28 were unsafe. Dr. Singh warned citizens against falling for misleading terms like “A2 ghee” and clarified that there’s no real difference between A1 and A2 types. Instead of spending heavily on branded ghee, he urged families to buy full-fat milk, collect the cream, and prepare ghee at home, just like older generations did. The minister also reported that milk quality in Punjab has improved over the years. Failed samples dropped from 484 out of 1,400 in 2022–23 to 88 out of 654 in 2023–24, and to just 82 out of 310 so far in 2024–25. Dr. Singh reassured the public that most fruits and vegetables are safe for consumption. He noted that the government monitors calcium carbide usage and that most fruits are now ripened in approved chambers. Salads and vegetables, he added, rarely show any major contamination.

Mobile Labs Bring Food Testing Closer to People

To combat food adulteration, the Punjab government has expanded its Food Safety on Wheels initiative to all districts. These mobile testing vans have already tested over 13,000 food samples, including milk, paneer, ghee, sweets, vegetables, and spices. For just ₹50, anyone can test a food sample on the spot. Dr. Singh encouraged citizens to use this low-cost service to become more aware of what they eat. The state has taken strict legal action against offenders. Over the past year, authorities secured 145 convictions, imposed ₹4.75 lakh in total fines, and sentenced violators to six-month jail terms.

Final Advice: Eat Fresh, Cook at Home

Dr. Singh concluded by encouraging a return to healthy, traditional habits. He recommended a diet rich in home-cooked meals, fruits, vegetables, and low glycaemic index foods to prevent lifestyle diseases.

Source: The Indian Express