In the district of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, a massive amount of fake paneer has been seized. During a raid by the food department, 250 kilograms of synthetic paneer were confiscated. It was being manufactured using harmful chemicals and detergents. This counterfeit paneer was generating significant profits monthly until the factory was sealed.
The Gorakhpur Food and Drug Administration team conducted a late-night raid on an illegal factory in Baraipar village, located 25 kilometers north of the district headquarters, following a tip-off. The factory, after being caught on May 2nd, was sealed for producing fake paneer, but operations resumed illegally.
Panner from this factory was being supplied to Gorakhpur and neighboring districts - Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Deoria, and even Bihar. Daily, 50 to 55 quintals of counterfeit paneer were produced, using low-quality milk powder, harmful chemicals, detergent, whitener, rose water, and essence.
Previous Actions Taken
Earlier this month, raids were conducted to shut down the factory due to local complaints of bad odors and large-scale fake paneer production. Operations shifted from day to night soon after, with artisans from Nuh, Haryana, engaging in chemical-filled paneer production. A raid by the Food Safety Department led to the capturing of this operation. At that time, 250 kilograms of fake paneer and 800 liters of synthetic milk were destroyed. The chemicals and powder used for synthetic milk creation were seized and sealed.
Khalid's Shift from Dairy to Fake Paneer Production
Reportedly, Khalid opened a dairy in Baraipar village around a year ago. With a craftsman's help, he began making paneer and marketed it as pure in surrounding markets. Gaining trust led to shutting the dairy and fully focusing on chemically-made paneer production. He brought artisans from Nuh, Haryana, to scale his operations.
Absence of Milk in Paneer
Daily, approximately four lakh rupees worth of powder and chemicals were transported to this illegal site, where 50 to 55 quintals of paneer were produced nightly without milk. Cheap milk powder was used, mixing with fabric whitener, rose water, plating powder, and saccharin.
Factory Closed by Day, Operations at Night
Operations for milk and paneer production began at night, with deliveries to large markets in Kushinagar-Maharajganj, Deoria, and Bihar made by midnight. By morning, the factory was closed. When the team conducted a raid, the operators initially resisted, attempting to delay actions. However, faced with determination, the operation failed. Villagers assisted the food safety team, leading to the confiscation of 250 kilograms of paneer, 800 liters of milk made from low-quality powder, 10 bags of milk powder, 15 liters of refined oil, four 240-gram packages of whitener, 1 kilogram of saccharin, 5 liters of rose water, and plating powder.
Source: aajtak
Officials Share Insights
Main Food Safety Officer Hitendra Mohan Tiwari, along with officials Shailendra Srivastava, Ankur, Nagendra, Abha, Santosh, Umashankar, Vinay, Pratibha, Ashutosh, Srinivas, Vijayanand, Swaminath, Kamal Narayan, and Narendra, sampled the premises and sealed the factory. In the past year, more than 50 paneer samples showed significant adulteration. Tests revealed little to no fat, often a foundational element in dairy products. Genuine paneer from buffalo milk contains over 40% fat, while that from cow-buffalo milk averages 25%. Illegal manufacturers use washing powder and refined oil to mimic fat content in synthetic milk.
Dr. Sudhir Kumar Singh, Assistant Food Commissioner of Gorakhpur, reported that following a tip-off, food safety officers took action in Baraipara, Pipraich. Synthetic paneer was reportedly produced using various methods, confirmed upon investigation. Samples are being sent for lab testing, with further legal action underway. The entire factory has been sealed, and all materials confiscated. An FIR is being lodged today.
