Fake Paneer Flooding Markets, FDA Seizes Over 360 kg in Pune Raids
Pune, 14th May 2025: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has uncovered a surge in the use of counterfeit paneer—called analogue paneer—across Pune and other districts in Maharashtra.
Analogue paneer is manufactured using low-cost substitutes such as refined flour, maize flour, vegetable or palm oil, and milk powder. Food safety experts warn that this imitation product is visually indistinguishable from authentic paneer and becomes even harder to detect once it’s cooked with spices in dishes like curries and biryanis.
“From the outside, it looks just like regular paneer. Once it’s prepared in meals, even seasoned chefs can struggle to tell it apart,” said a senior FDA official involved in the inspection drive.
While genuine paneer retails for approximately ₹400 per kg, the counterfeit version is available for nearly ₹250 per kg—making it a popular alternative among street vendors and small eateries trying to reduce operational costs.
Since April 2024, the FDA has carried out checks at 79 establishments in Pune. Of the samples collected, only 22 met the required quality standards. Nine were found to be substandard, four were flagged as unsafe for consumption, and the results of 44 samples are still pending.
In total, 360 kg of suspected fake paneer has been confiscated so far.
“Branded and sealed paneer products from reputed companies are generally more trustworthy,” the FDA official noted. “It’s the unpackaged, loose paneer sold in bulk that tends to be problematic.”
Experts also highlighted key differences between genuine and fake paneer. “Authentic paneer is softer and tends to crumble easily. The counterfeit version feels rubbery and is much harder to break,” a food safety analyst explained. These characteristics could help consumers identify fake products on their own.
FDA officials admitted the department is stretched thin when it comes to manpower. “With our current staffing, we can’t inspect every vendor, especially at the roadside level where cost-cutting is common,” the official said. “Unfortunately, customers are often unaware they’re being served substandard ingredients.”
Statewide Crackdown on Dairy Adulteration
The paneer raids are part of a broader crackdown on adulterated dairy items under a 100-day action plan launched by the state government. Between January and early May, the FDA collected 5,176 samples of paneer, GMS (Glycerol Monostearate) powder, and skimmed milk powder. Throughout the past year, a total of 7,470 samples were gathered statewide.
Analysis of 4,719 samples revealed that 419 were substandard, 185 were unsafe for consumption, and 8 had incorrect or misleading labels. The FDA has seized more than 1,400 kg of adulterated paneer, 400 kg of GMS powder, and 1,800 kg of SMP (skimmed milk powder) during the campaign.
