Chandrapur residents were shocked to learn on Friday (7th) that cheese analogue, a potentially dangerous substance, was being sold as paneer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted two separate raids, seizing 472 kg of the fake paneer, valued at Rs 1,50,200.
On Wednesday (5th), FDA Food Safety Officer G. T. Satkar discovered Sapna Daily Needs selling cheese analogue as paneer, seizing 197 kg worth Rs 51,200. Another 275 kg of the substance, valued at Rs 99,000, was confiscated from New Bhagyashree Ghee Bhandar in Golbazar's Tilak Maidan. These actions have reportedly unsettled vendors in Chandrapur, especially with the increased demand for dairy products during the summer and wedding season, creating an incentive for adulteration.
The FDA urges consumers to be vigilant when purchasing food items, as unscrupulous sellers may be substituting cheese analogue for genuine paneer to capitalize on the heightened demand during the wedding season.
Following the seizures, the FDA has initiated inspections of all shops in Chandrapur. The seized samples of cheese analogue found in the paneer have been sent to a laboratory for analysis. Based on the lab results, further action will be taken against the implicated shopkeepers under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and Rules and Regulations 2011.
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The FDA emphasizes that all food businesses must adhere to the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and Rules and Regulations 2011. Violations will result in penalties. Consumers are encouraged to report any concerns regarding food adulteration or other complaints to the Assistant Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration Office.