Ahmedabad Food Scandal: Non-Dairy Paneer Sold as Milk Paneer, AMC Cracks Down
Consumers in Ahmedabad are being urged to exercise caution when dining out, as a recent investigation by civic authorities has revealed a troubling practice in the city's food industry. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has discovered that numerous restaurants and food establishments are selling non-dairy paneer, made from vegetable fat, while marketing it as traditional milk paneer without informing customers.
Extensive Inspections Uncover Widespread Violations
Between February 1 and 22, the AMC's food department conducted a comprehensive inspection drive across Ahmedabad. During this period, officials inspected 1,083 restaurants, hotels, and food units, issuing notices to 432 establishments for various violations. The crackdown resulted in the destruction of 823 kilograms of inedible food and 878 liters of inedible liquid. Additionally, 495 food samples were collected for laboratory testing, including 110 samples of dairy products such as paneer.
Laboratory analysis revealed that 10 paneer samples from 10 different restaurants and food units were substandard, with tests showing high levels of vegetable fat. This indicates that these establishments were passing off non-dairy or analogue paneer as milk paneer, a practice that misleads consumers and violates food safety regulations.
List of Non-Compliant Establishments
The restaurants and food units whose paneer samples failed quality standards include:
- Barbeque Nation in Nikol
- Jay Kalyan Fast Food in Thakkarbapanagar
- The Leo Pizza in Bapunagar
- Krishna Aloo Paratha Centre in Navrangpura
- Jay Bhavani Bhojanalay in Vejalpur
- Maa Ki Rasoi in Satellite
- Nutrilicious in Jodhpur
- Ubot Hospitality Pvt Ltd in Naranpura
- The Real Paprika on Anandnagar Road
- Pizzart in Amraiwadi
These units faced fines ranging from Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 for their violations.
Supply Chain Raids and Seizures
Following the findings, AMC officials traced the supply chain of the adulterated paneer and conducted raids at three key locations. A total of 173 kilograms of paneer was seized, including 14 kilograms from a dairy unit on Sola Road, 110 kilograms from a dairy in Vejalpur, and 49 kilograms from a dairy in Naroda. These actions highlight the systemic nature of the issue, with suppliers also implicated in the distribution of non-dairy paneer marketed as milk-based.
Legal Framework and Consumer Protection
An AMC official clarified that while the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 permits the use of analogue paneer, it must be clearly labeled as such on menus. Selling it as milk paneer without disclosure is considered misleading and violates regulations. The official emphasized that eateries must specify 'analogue paneer' wherever it is used, with violations subject to action under FSSAI regulations and the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporations Act.
Differences Between Milk Paneer and Analogue Paneer
Understanding the distinction between these two types of paneer is crucial for consumers:
- Milk Paneer: Made from fresh milk with natural milk fat, it is rich in protein and offers higher nutritional value. It tends to be more expensive due to its pure milk content.
- Analogue Paneer: Prepared using vegetable oil (often palm oil), starch, and milk powder or solids, it contains vegetable fat instead of natural milk fat. It is lower in protein and nutritional value and is cheaper due to the use of substitutes.
Consumers can differentiate them by texture and cooking behavior. Milk paneer is soft, slightly crumbly, and may release moisture, while analogue paneer is rubbery and regains shape after pressing. When cooked, milk paneer softens without becoming rubbery, whereas analogue paneer can feel greasy and turn rubbery.
Ongoing Vigilance and Future Actions
The AMC has warned that inspections will continue in the coming days, with the food department planning to check a wide range of items including cold drinks, snacks, ice cream, lassi, dry fruits, dairy products, bakery products, edible oils, prepared foods, and raw materials. Hotels and restaurants operating without proper licenses or registration will also face strict action, underscoring the civic body's commitment to ensuring food safety and transparency in Ahmedabad.
