Paneer Emerges as Most Adulterated Food Item in Noida and Greater Noida
A recent food safety investigation conducted from April 2024 to March 2025 across Noida and Greater Noida has revealed disturbing levels of adulteration in paneer, one of the most commonly consumed dairy products in Indian households. Out of 122 samples collected, 83 were analyzed, and 83% of those failed to meet acceptable quality standards. Shockingly, 40% of the paneer samples were classified as unsafe for human consumption due to the presence of harmful substances and unidentified adulterants.
Common Adulterants Found in Paneer
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Starch (Arrowroot or Maida): Often added to increase bulk and firmness, but can compromise nutritional value and trigger digestive issues.
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Detergents or Synthetic Milk: Frequently used to create fake paneer; may cause stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, long-term organ damage.
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Urea or Caustic Soda: Toxic elements found in synthetic milk that can impair kidney and liver function.
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Excessive Preservatives or Formalin: Used to extend shelf life, especially in warmer months; formalin is carcinogenic and may damage the liver or cause severe allergic reactions.
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Milk Powder or Reconstituted Solids: Substitutes fresh milk and leads to a decline in nutritional value and taste.
Broader Implications for Dairy Products
The findings extended beyond paneer, with other dairy items also showing significant adulteration:
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Milk: 44% of 43 samples tested were either substandard or unsafe.
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Khoya and Milk-Based Sweets: Roughly 46% and 45% of samples failed to meet quality benchmarks, respectively.
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Ghee: 38% failure rate observed.
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Butter: Reported as safe, with no evidence of adulteration.
In light of these results, authorities have launched legal actions, filing 33 prosecutions related to paneer adulteration and imposing fines amounting to ₹52.7 lakh. Overall penalties across all tested food items totaled ₹2.48 crore.
These findings highlight a critical public health concern and emphasize the urgent need for stricter enforcement of food safety standards. Consumers are advised to remain vigilant and demand quality assurance while purchasing dairy products, especially paneer. The authorities have also urged manufacturers to adopt safer and more transparent practices to ensure public safety.
