In a major crackdown against suspected food adulteration, the Food Safety Wing of the Punjab Health Department has seized around 1,000 kilograms of suspected adulterated paneer and 68 kilograms of milk cream during a surprise inspection in Jalandhar. Officials have also collected nine food samples for laboratory testing, and further action will be taken based on the test reports.
The team that led the raid
The operation was carried out under the directions of Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Kanwalpreet Kaur Brar, Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia, and Civil Surgeon Dr. Rajesh Garg. The raid was led by Assistant Commissioner Food Rajinder Pal Singh, along with Food Safety Officers Mukul Gill, Robin Kumar, and Ravi Nandan Goyal.
Surprise inspection at dairies
The Food Safety team conducted surprise inspections at Jamsher Dairy Complex and Chawla Dairy, a paneer supplier located in Model House, Jalandhar after several complaints qabout dairy products reported to the officials.
Raid at Chawla dairy
During the inspection at Chawla Dairy, officials sought records related to the purchase and sale of milk and milk products. The dairy owner informed the team that milk products were manufactured at a facility on Kala Sanghian Road. However, when the team inspected the location, they found that only ghee and curd were being produced there, while no paneer manufacturing activity was taking place.
Stock seized from the dairy
As the dairy owner failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the source and manufacturing of the paneer, the Food Safety team collected two paneer samples, one cream sample, one ghee sample, and one curd sample. Based on suspicion of adulteration, officials sealed and seized the entire stock of nearly 1,000 kg of paneer and 68 kg of milk cream on the spot.
Raid extended to other dairies
The inspection drive was further extended to Radhe Dairy, Lovely Dairy, and Satpal Dairy at the Jamsher Dairy Complex, where officials collected three milk samples and one ghee sample.
In total, nine samples have been sent to the State Food Laboratory for analysis. The department has also requested the Food Analyst to expedite the examination of the samples collected from the seized stock.
Legal action towards guilty
Officials said that appropriate legal and departmental action will be initiated against those found guilty once the laboratory reports are received. The Food Safety Wing reiterated its commitment to taking strict action against the sale and distribution of adulterated food products to safeguard public health.