Massive Fake Paneer Discovery
In a major development concerning food adulteration, authorities in Surat, Gujarat, have unearthed a substantial cache of counterfeit paneer. Acting upon
intelligence received, a coordinated raid was conducted by the Special Operations Group (SOG) in collaboration with the Food Safety Department of the Surat Municipal Corporation. The operation targeted a plot situated within the Bhidbhanjan Society in the Pandesara area. During the inspection, officials were confronted with a significant quantity of paneer that was either ready for consumption or still undergoing processing, all of which was unbranded and deemed to be of substandard quality. This discovery highlights a concerning trend of fraudulent food production and poses a direct threat to public health.
Seized Materials and Equipment
The scope of the operation extended beyond just the finished product. SOG sources revealed that a staggering 1,401 kilograms of this 'fake' paneer was discovered, meticulously stored in a large freezer to maintain its appearance. Alongside this illicit dairy product, a significant amount of equipment crucial to its production was confiscated. This included machinery valued at approximately Rs. 25 lakhs, alongside weighing scales, and numerous plastic bags intended for the packaging of loose cheese. Furthermore, a substantial quantity of stickers for unbranded, 'analogue' paneer was found, indicating a deliberate effort to disguise the product. The raid also yielded a considerable stock of key chemical ingredients, including acetic acid and palm oil, which are not typically used in genuine paneer production.
The Mastermind and His Operation
The Surat Special Operation Group has successfully seized analogue paneer and its associated ingredients, with a total estimated worth of Rs. 28.44 lakh, originating from a godown in Surat. Investigations have identified the proprietor of this illicit enterprise as Maheshkumar Sharma, a native of Rajasthan who had taken up residence in the Althan area of Surat city. Official confirmation from the Food Safety Department, following an inspection and approval, has verified the substance as analogue paneer. It is understood that this fraudulent operation had been running for approximately two years, with the accused reportedly confessing to a daily output of 400 kilograms of this fake product, which was then sold to various dairies at Rs. 220 per kilogram.
Distribution Network Identified
The clandestine production of analogue paneer was not confined to a single location but was being actively supplied to several dairy businesses. According to Rajdeepsingh Nakum, Deputy Commissioner of Police for the Surat SOG, the accused was making regular deliveries to Dharmaraj Dairy, Radha Krishna Dairy, Om Sai Dairy, and Rajkamal Dairy. The manufacturing process involved a questionable mixture of palm oil, milk powder, acetic acid, and other unspecified ingredients, a stark departure from the traditional and safe method of paneer creation. This deliberate act of deceiving consumers and potentially compromising their health over a two-year period has led to the accused's apprehension. Samples from the facility have been collected and sent to an SMC-approved laboratory for thorough testing. Following the receipt of the laboratory report, formal charges will be filed against Mahesh Sharma.
