Pune FDA Seizes Paneer, Khoya Worth Rs 38 Lakh Ahead of Ganeshotsav

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Budhwar Peth, 11th September 2026: Ahead of the Ganeshotsav celebrations, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carried out a major operation in Pune’s Budhwar Peth area on Friday and seized around 12,600 kg of paneer and 4,600 kg of khoya valued at approximately ₹38 lakh.

The action was carried out on the directions of FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. FDA officials inspected consignments of paneer and khoya being brought into Pune for distribution across the city and district.

According to FDA officials, samples of the seized products have been collected for testing. Officials said adulteration was detected in the material during the preliminary examination, while further action will be taken if the samples are found to be in violation of food safety standards.

FDA officer Nilesh Misal said the department had received information about the consignments around eight to 10 days ago and had been working on the matter before conducting the operation on Friday morning.

“Information about this had been received by the Food and Drug Administration around eight to 10 days ago, and work was being carried out based on it. The action was conducted this morning. Paneer and khoya are brought from other states and districts and distributed across Pune city and district,” Misal said.

The FDA seized around 4,600 kg of khoya valued at ₹11.60 lakh. Officials said the khoya had been brought from the Barshi area and was allegedly transported in an unhygienic manner.

In addition, around 12,600 kg of paneer, valued at ₹27.83 lakh, was seized. The paneer was reportedly brought from the Karnataka border and comprised three varieties.

Samples from all the seized material have been collected and sent for examination. The FDA said further action would be taken based on the test results.

Meanwhile, farmer Banshi Dhoifude from Dharashiv district claimed that the khoya he had brought was genuine and not adulterated. He said he had been making khoya in his village for around 40 years and had brought 160 kg of the product to Pune.

“I have been making khoya in my village for the last 40 years. The 160 kg of khoya I brought today was genuine and there was no adulteration. The officials said action was taken because it had been brought in a jute sack. I live in a village where there is no electricity and limited facilities. Despite bringing genuine khoya without any adulteration, action was taken against me, causing me a loss of around ₹50,000,” Dhoifude said.

He added that farmers were already facing losses due to damaged soybean crops and said the action had added to their financial difficulties.

The FDA action comes ahead of Ganeshotsav, when demand for dairy products and ingredients used in sweets and other food preparations typically increases.