WARNING: 450 Kg of Unsafe Paneer Seized and Destroyed in Chandigarh – Public Alert Issued!

The Voice of Chandigarh:

Under the able guidance of the Chief Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, and following the directions of the Secretary Health-cum-Commissioner Food Safety to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens, the Food Safety Administration, Health Department, conducted a surprise raid on June 11, 2025, at around 7:00 AM in Bapudham Colony, Sector-26, Chandigarh.

Upon inspection, approximately 450 kg of paneer was found stored at a shop in House No. 714/2, as well as in a pickup vehicle parked outside the said premises. The Food Safety Officer immediately seized samples of the paneer from both locations.

The samples were sent to the Food Analyst Laboratory for testing. The analysis revealed that the paneer was unsafe and substandard. Based on this report, the Food Safety Department followed due procedure and destroyed the entire 450 kg consignment at the MC waste disposal plant.

The Health Department appeals to all residents of Chandigarh to purchase paneer only from authentic sources that possess a valid FSSAI License. If there is any suspicion regarding the quality of paneer, citizens are urged to report it to the Department of Food Safety, Government Multispecialty Hospital, Sector-16, Chandigarh, or raise a concern via the FSSAI grievance portal: https://foscos.fssai.gov.in/consumergrievance.

All Food Business Operators (FBOs) dealing in paneer must comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Regulations, 2011, and clearly display whether they are selling Paneer or Dairy Analogue. All hotels, restaurants, dhaba owners, and food vending units are strictly directed to procure paneer from licensed, verified sources that meet safety standards.

If any FBO is found selling, storing, or using substandard, unsafe, or misbranded paneer, strict legal action will be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.