Fake Paneer Crisis: Dairy Industry Demands Crackdown on Cheap Imitations
Pune’s dairy industry is sounding the alarm over the flood of cheap, imitation paneer in the market—a product made from vegetable oil, milk powder, maize flour, and refined flour instead of pure milk. Industry leaders recently met Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Narhari Zirwal, demanding an immediate ban on its production and sale.
Health Risks and Deceptive Practices
The imitation paneer, often sold at half the price of real paneer (₹140-200/kg vs. ₹350-400/kg), lacks essential nutrients and contains unhealthy fats. Vivek Shirsagar, a dairy expert and former Katraj Dairy MD, warned that nearly 50% of hotels and restaurants are using this substitute to cut costs. “Consumers can’t tell the difference, especially when it’s cooked in gravies,” he said.
A restaurant owner, speaking anonymously, admitted, “If customers don’t complain and the price is half, why wouldn’t we use it? Detecting fake paneer isn’t our job—it’s the FDA’s.”
Industry Demands Strict Regulations
Dairy representatives, including major milk producers, urged the government to enforce labeling rules similar to those for ice cream, where non-dairy products must be called “frozen desserts” instead. While the minister promised action, experts stress that without a legal ban, fake paneer will keep endangering public health.
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