News Desk: Around 125 kg of paneer found unfit for consumption was seized and destroyed during a food safety inspection in Gurugram, Haryana, on Monday, October 26. Officials also collected eight samples of paneer, khoa and sweets for laboratory testing amid concerns over the sale of substandard and potentially adulterated food products.
The joint operation was conducted by the Gurugram food safety department and the chief minister’s flying squads at several locations, including Sadar Bazaar Mandi, Pataudi Chowk and the Bhagwan Parshuram Vatika area.
During the inspection, officials discovered foul-smelling paneer at two shops. After finding the product unfit for consumption, the team seized and destroyed it on the spot to prevent it from reaching consumers.
The action comes amid increased monitoring of dairy products and sweets ahead of the festive season, when demand for these items typically rises.
Eight Samples Sent for Testing
Apart from destroying the unsafe paneer, the inspection team collected eight food samples for further examination. These included four samples of paneer, one sample of khoa and three samples of sweets.
The samples will be sent to the state food testing laboratory to determine whether they meet the prescribed quality and safety standards.
Officials said further action against the establishments concerned would depend on the laboratory findings. If the samples are found to violate the applicable food safety standards, legal proceedings may be initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The results of the tests are awaited, and no conclusion has yet been announced regarding the quality of the other sampled products.
Food Safety Checks Intensified Ahead of Festive Season
The latest operation is part of ongoing efforts to monitor food quality in Gurugram, particularly at dairy outlets, sweet shops, markets and other food businesses.
Authorities have been conducting inspections to identify unsafe products and prevent the sale of food that could pose health risks to consumers.
Paneer and khoa are widely used in Indian cooking and traditional sweets, making their quality particularly important during festivals and celebrations. Products that are improperly stored, contaminated or manufactured without following safety standards can pose risks to public health.
Food safety officials have reiterated that inspections will continue and warned food business operators against selling products that fail to meet prescribed standards.
Consumers are also advised to purchase dairy products and sweets from reliable sellers, check packaging and expiry details where applicable, and avoid products with unusual smells, colours or textures.
The latest inspection has resulted in the removal of 125 kg of unsafe paneer from circulation. However, the final findings concerning the eight collected samples will determine whether further action is required against the establishments inspected.
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