Food Minister Seeks Crackdown on Adulterated Paneer Sales Across India
Food Minister Pralhad Joshi has raised an alarm over the rising sale of adulterated and fake paneer across the country. In a formal communication, he urged Health Minister J P Nadda to take immediate steps to curb the circulation of substandard paneer in restaurants, fast food outlets, and local markets.
The concern follows a growing number of complaints received from consumers about the quality and safety of paneer being sold. Reports indicate that chemically laced or low-quality substitutes are being passed off as paneer, posing serious risks to public health.
Public Health at Stake
Citing data from the National Consumer Helpline, the Food Minister highlighted that a significant number of people have reported adverse experiences related to adulterated dairy products. He stressed that consumption of such products may lead to chronic health issues and that urgent attention is needed to prevent a full-blown food safety crisis.
Call for Enforcement of Food Safety Law
Joshi has urged strict enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. He called on health authorities and food safety regulators across states to ensure that manufacturers, retailers, and eateries are held accountable for the quality of paneer sold. Emphasizing the importance of consumer safety, he noted that ensuring compliance with national food standards is critical to maintaining trust in the food supply chain.
Need for Nationwide Vigilance
The minister’s intervention comes amid increasing consumer awareness and concern about food adulteration. Authorities have been urged to conduct surprise inspections, seize contaminated products, and prosecute offenders under existing laws to deter future violations.
As the demand for paneer continues to rise, especially in urban and semi-urban markets, the government faces mounting pressure to ensure that basic food items remain safe, unadulterated, and fit for consumption. The outcome of this appeal may set the tone for broader reforms in India’s food safety enforcement landscape.
