New Delhi: In a decisive move to protect public health, the Centre has launched a nationwide special enforcement drive against fake paneer, khoya and other adulterated dairy products. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has instructed all states and Union Territories to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards milk adulteration and misleading food practices.
The intensified action follows disturbing reports from several regions indicating the widespread circulation of counterfeit dairy products made using synthetic milk, hazardous chemicals and inferior ingredients. Officials have warned that adulteration of daily-consumption items like milk and milk-based products poses serious health risks and will invite strict action.
Illegal Units Under Surveillance
According to FSSAI officials, fake paneer and khoya are often manufactured in unlicensed units operating in city outskirts and rural pockets. These facilities allegedly use unsafe substances to reduce costs, flooding markets with products falsely sold as genuine dairy items.
As part of the drive, state food safety departments and FSSAI regional teams will conduct inspections across the entire supply chain—from milk procurement and processing units to wholesalers, retailers and local markets. Storage conditions, sourcing practices and distribution networks will be closely scrutinised.
Sampling, Testing and Licence Verification
The campaign will involve large-scale sample collection of milk, paneer and khoya from both licensed and unlicensed establishments. Samples will be tested in laboratories to verify quality and compliance with food safety standards.
Inspectors will also verify licences and registrations. Where adulteration is detected, authorities will trace the origin of products to dismantle illegal manufacturing units and disrupt associated supply chains. Such units may face immediate closure.
Hotels, Restaurants on Alert
FSSAI has clarified that enforcement will extend to hotels, restaurants, caterers, food chains and pubs. Establishments found procuring or serving adulterated dairy products—whether knowingly or unknowingly—will face strict legal action, including fines and suspension or cancellation of licences.
Strict Penalties and Central Monitoring
Violators may face seizure and destruction of adulterated products, sealing of premises and prosecution under food safety laws. All enforcement actions will be recorded on FoSCoS, FSSAI’s digital platform, enabling real-time monitoring at the central level. States have also been advised to strengthen inter-state coordination to curb cross-border movement of adulterated milk products.
Officials said the drive aims to safeguard consumer health, curb food fraud and restore public trust in milk and milk-based products, while sending a strong deterrent message to adulterators nationwide.
