Hyderabad: Authorities seized 825 kg of fake paneer from 45 food outlets and eight manufacturing units in Hyderabad during a large-scale food safety operation.The Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST) led the raids. Officials uncovered a network that sold cheese analogue products as genuine paneer.
Investigators found that manufacturers used vegetable fats and other non-milk ingredients. They then marketed these products as paneer, malai paneer, and milk paneer.
Officials said suppliers brought the products from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. Many sellers used labels such as “low-fat paneer,” “medium-fat paneer,” and “fresh paneer” to attract customers.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Vaibhav Gaikwad Raghunath said several packets lacked manufacturing details, batch numbers, and expiry dates.
The team also found products carrying warnings such as “contains no dairy fat.” Despite these warnings, some retailers allegedly repackaged the products and sold them as premium paneer.
During the raids, officials discovered several forms of adulteration. Some operators mixed starch, excess water, non-milk fats, and poor-quality ingredients into the products. Investigators also found signs of synthetic milk and other unsafe substances.
Authorities have launched a deeper investigation. They warned that strict action will follow against those involved in food adulteration.
The case has raised serious concerns about food safety and consumer health. Officials urged the public to buy dairy products only from trusted sources.