Key Development 

Punjab is facing a serious paneer adulteration problem, the Centre revealed during the ongoing winter session of Parliament. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare told the Rajya Sabha that 47% of paneer and milk product samples in the state failed quality tests. Out of 531 samples tested in 2024–25, authorities found 255 to be adulterated or substandard.

Investigators identified starch and sucrose as the most common adulterants in paneer. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has already flagged paneer as the most adulterated food item in India, urging both consumers and businesses to remain vigilant. Nationally, 83% of paneer samples tested between April 2024 and March 2025 failed basic safety standards, and around 40% of these samples posed health risks due to illegal or toxic substances.

Punjab’s adulteration rate surpassed neighbouring states, with 43.8% in Haryana and 33.3% in Himachal Pradesh. The problem is not new—in 2023–24, 230 out of 585 paneer and milk product samples in Punjab failed quality tests. Experts warn that the substances used to mimic dairy proteins threaten public health.

Health and Nutritional Risks

Adulterated paneer not only poses health hazards but also reduces nutritional value. It lowers protein intake, which is critical for children, pregnant women, and the elderly. It can also mislead consumers about fat and calorie content, raising concerns for people managing lifestyle diseases.

Authorities Strengthen Enforcement Measures

The ministry emphasised that enforcing the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, is a shared responsibility of the Centre and state governments. FSSAI and state/UT food safety authorities conduct inspections, surveillance, and random sampling to ensure businesses comply with food safety standards.

Public Awareness and Legal Action

Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh urged residents to make use of the ‘Food Safety on Wheels’ initiative, which deploys mobile testing vans to screen milk, paneer, and other key food items. Over the past five years, authorities convicted 145 individuals and sentenced them to six months in prison for producing unsafe food products, particularly paneer and desi ghee.

Source: Hindustan Times