Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Commissioner’s Task Force has uncovered a large-scale food adulteration racket involving the sale of fake and misbranded paneer across the city. During a series of special inspections, authorities seized approximately 825 kilograms of suspected adulterated paneer and related products from retail outlets and manufacturing units, raising serious concerns about food safety and consumer health.
The operation exposed multiple violations, including the sale of Cheese Analogue products as paneer, the use of non-milk ingredients, inadequate labelling and unhygienic storage practices. Officials said the raids were conducted as part of ongoing efforts to curb food adulteration and protect consumers from unsafe food products.
Large-scale inspections reveal widespread violations
Special police teams inspected nearly 45 retail outlets and eight manufacturing units across Hyderabad. During the inspections, authorities found several food business operators allegedly misleading consumers by selling Cheese Analogue products under labels such as “Paneer”, “Milk Paneer”, “Malai Paneer” and “Fresh Paneer”.
Cheese Analogue is a product manufactured using vegetable fats and other non-milk ingredients rather than pure milk solids. While it is legally permitted when properly labelled, officials alleged that several traders were marketing it as genuine paneer to command higher prices and increase profits.
Investigators found that many products lacked mandatory information such as manufacturing dates, batch numbers, expiry dates and ingredient declarations, making it difficult for consumers to identify what they were purchasing.
Products sourced from multiple states
According to officials, some traders procured Cheese Analogue products from manufacturers located in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh before selling them as paneer in Hyderabad.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Vaibhav Gaikwad Raghunath stated that certain operators were deliberately misrepresenting the products to consumers to earn higher margins.
Authorities also discovered instances where bulk quantities of Cheese Analogue were repackaged and sold under misleading labels such as “Premium Paneer” without proper licences or traceability records.
Serious food safety concerns identified
The inspections revealed a range of food safety violations that could potentially pose health risks to consumers.
Officials reported finding:
- Use of starch in paneer products
- Excess water content
- Non-milk fats and vegetable oils
- Poor-quality or synthetic milk
- Lack of proper food safety licences
- Unhygienic storage conditions
- Inadequate product labelling
- Suspected use of non-food-grade substances
Authorities warned that such practices not only deceive consumers but may also expose them to foodborne illnesses and allergic reactions.
Health risks associated with adulterated paneer
Food safety experts have long cautioned against the consumption of adulterated dairy products. Products made using synthetic milk, excessive starch or non-food-grade ingredients can potentially lead to digestive disorders, food poisoning and other health complications.
Officials noted that individuals with allergies or sensitivities may face greater risks if ingredients are not accurately disclosed on product labels.
The lack of proper manufacturing and storage standards further increases the possibility of contamination, particularly in products requiring refrigeration and strict hygiene controls.
Samples sent for laboratory testing
Authorities have sent samples of the seized products for laboratory analysis to determine the exact nature and extent of adulteration. The test results are expected to provide further clarity on whether the products violated food safety regulations and standards.
Officials indicated that strict legal action would be initiated against businesses found guilty of violating food safety norms and misleading consumers.
The enforcement drive is continuing, with additional inspections expected across Hyderabad in the coming days.
Advice for consumers
In light of the findings, authorities have advised consumers to exercise caution while purchasing paneer and other dairy products.
Consumers have been urged to:
- Buy paneer only from licensed vendors
- Check packaging and ingredient labels carefully
- Verify manufacturing and expiry dates
- Avoid purchasing loose or unlabelled products
- Report suspected food adulteration to authorities
Officials stressed that consumer awareness plays an important role in preventing the sale of adulterated food products.
Conclusion
The seizure of 825 kilograms of suspected fake paneer highlights growing concerns about food adulteration and misbranding in Hyderabad’s food supply chain. With laboratory testing underway and enforcement drives continuing, authorities are intensifying efforts to identify violators and safeguard public health. Consumers are being encouraged to remain vigilant and purchase food products only from trusted and licensed sources.