'Fake paneer': Pralhad Joshi raises concern over sale of adulterated samples, writes to health minister JP Nadda

The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi has raised concern over the sale of fake and adulterated paneer (cottage cheese) in the market.

In his letter to the Union Health Minister JP Nadda, Joshi stated that the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has been receiving numerous complaints about the rampant use of fake and adulterated paneer from the consumers who are worried about its impact on their health.

Joshi has urged the health minister to take necessary steps to ensure that paneer manufacturing establishments strictly comply with the food safety standards prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

This month, out of 163 unbranded paneer samples collected by the Karnataka’s Food Safety and Public Health department, only four were found to be safe for human consumption. In Bengaluru, two out of the 17 samples were found to be unsafe for consumption. The samples were contaminated with harmful bacteria (E Coli and Salmonella) and non-dairy additives, to extend its shelf life, said the officials. The adulterants like palm oil, starch, poor quality milk solids detergents and urea.

The Karnataka government, which banned the use of harmful artificial colours in ‘Gobi Manchurian’ (Rhodamine-B) and cotton candy last year, has been collecting and testing food samples across the state to check adulteration.

Use of artificial colours like Tartrazine, Carmoisine, Sunset Yellow and Rhodamine-1B has been banned and any violation would attract seven years imprisonment and Rs 10 lakh as penalty.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that in January 2025 alone, 3,608 food samples were tested and 26 were found to be unsafe and 28 of poor quality. In February, 2,543 samples were collected, and eight were found to be unsafe and five were of poor quality.

Last year, the department set up food adulteration detection kiosks in 11 major malls across Bengaluru.

Where people can test the food they consume using the Magic Box and Rapid Test Kits available at the center.

India