Alarming Rise in Paneer Adulteration Cases in Ahmedabad

In a worrying development for Gujarat’s dairy sector, food safety authorities in Ahmedabad have reported a significant increase in paneer adulteration cases. According to recent sampling and laboratory testing conducted by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), a disturbing 70% of paneer samples collected in the city have failed to meet quality and safety norms.

Officials confirmed that the primary adulterants identified include starch, synthetic milk derivatives, and non-permitted fat substitutes — substances that compromise not only the product’s nutritional value but also pose potential health risks to consumers. The tests were part of an intensified crackdown on dairy adulteration during the ongoing summer season, a time when the demand for milk-based products typically surges.

The food department has initiated legal action against several local suppliers and manufacturers, and further inspections are being conducted in wholesale markets, local dairies, and eateries. Authorities have also issued public advisories urging citizens to purchase paneer and other dairy products from licensed, reputed outlets and to remain cautious of unusually cheap or loosely packaged products.

Industry Insight:
This incident underlines the urgent need for stricter enforcement, third-party testing partnerships, and real-time traceability systems in India’s unorganized dairy segment. For ethical players, this is both a reputational risk and an opportunity to differentiate by prioritizing transparency, certification, and consumer trust.

Source : Dairynews7x7 April 16th 2025 The TOI