Production and supply of fake, synthetic or adulterated paneer peaks during Diwali festival. A public health emergency is real. Food safety raids are being conducted across the country. Why do we need paneer?

NEW DELHI, Oct 16: A Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) team intercepted a vehicle in Muzaffarnagar carrying 15 quintanls of adulterated paneer priced at Rs 3.3 lakh being transported from Aligarh to be supplied in Uttarakhand early this week. The entire lot has been destroyed.

In pre-Diwali raids in various localities of Agra, officials seized and destroyed 2.2 tons of substandard food items, including 1,725 kg of khoya, 500 kg of paneer and 30 kg of artificially coloured petha worth around Rs 4.48 lakh. Also seized were 800 kg of adulterated edible oil like mustard oil and refined soybean oil.

Last week, about 500 kg of fake paneer was seized from Delhi-NCR. It was being brought from Jangi Milk Plant in Mewat, Haryana, for supply to markets in Delhi-NCR.

About 5,000 kg of adulterated or fake paneer was destroyed in UP ahead of Diwali.

Alarming situation

As demand is peaking during Diwali festival, the business of adulteration also flourishes leading to a public health emergency.

According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), paneer is the most adulterated food in the country.

As per FSSAI data, 83% of sampled paneer sold across India failed to meet safety and quality standards, of which 40% was found adulterated with palm oil, detergents, urea and synthetic chemicals. Synthetic paneer has been found in samples in several cities.

Mostly the fake, adulterated or synthetic paneer goes in bulk to commercial establisgments like restaurants than domestic users.

How to physically check? Adulterated paneer may release oil on pressing or cooking due to the presence of oils or chemicals. Real paneer has a mild smell and is pure white in colour while adulterated paneer feels sticky, has colour, emits a bad smell. On pressing it feels hard and breaks, while real one feels soft. Avoid buying products from unverified sources.

Why do we need paneer:

Paneer is the most common protein-rich food easily available in India, where protein deficiency is widespread.

Protein is a nutrient essential for almost every function in the body. It provides the amino acids needed to build and repair body tissues, making it critical for recovery from injuries and surgery. It also helps produce antibodies and other immune cells that fight off infections. A muscle-builder, it is essential especially for athletes and older adults with sarcopenia. It is a vital requiement to fight fatty liver.

Why India is deficient?

Indian diets consist of 60–75% staple grains like rice and wheat, deficient in protein. Access to protein-rich foods like eggs, meat and high quality pulses is limited due to rampant poverty. Adding to this is the fact that 90% of Indians are unaware of their daily protein needs, many believing that fruits and vegetables are sufficient.

Consequences of deficiency:

Chronic deficiency can lead to stunted physical and cognitive development in children. It affects immune system. In adults it leads to sarcopenia. There is a risk of obesity and diabetes, hair, skin and nail problems.

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