Hyderabad Food Safety Raids: Adulterated Chicken and Fake Paneer Seized
Food adulteration has become an everyday affair. From ghee to milk, and meat to pulses, every ingredient is being adulterated, raising the recurring question: how safe is our food? In a recent series of incidents, the Hyderabad Food Adulteration Surveillance Team (H-FAST), along with the Food Safety Officer (FSO), raided an unlicensed fast food godown in Charminar. Simultaneously, the Hyderabad Commissioner's Task Force conducted a separate raid, uncovering shocking results.
Raid on Fast Food Godown
The H-FAST team, in collaboration with the FSO, seized approximately 110 kg of prepared fried chicken, half a dozen 15-litre tins of loose cooking oil, and artificial chemical food colours from the unlicensed godown. The H-FAST team posted on X, stating that they confiscated large quantities of adulterated food material stored under unhygienic conditions. The establishment was operating without an FSSAI licence.
Violations included the use of prohibited food colours such as MSK Lion Green and Raspberry Red, evidence of reuse of stale and hazardous cooking oil, absence of water analysis certification, and lack of quality control measures. The premises exhibited gross unhygienic conditions and no pest control.
Seizure Details
- Approximately 110 kg of prepared fried chicken
- 6 tins of loose cooking oil (15 litres each)
- Artificial chemical food colours
Health Risks to Consumers
Consumption of such adulterated and unhygienic food may lead to food poisoning, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal infections, long-term health issues from reused oil, allergic reactions and toxicity from artificial colours, and increased risk of serious illnesses affecting the liver and overall health.
A case has been registered at Hussainialam Police Station under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and other applicable laws.
Fake Paneer Seized Across Hyderabad
In another operation, the Hyderabad Commissioner's Task Force uncovered large-scale sales of fake and misbranded paneer across the city, seizing around 825 kilograms of suspected adulterated products during special raids. The team inspected nearly 45 retail outlets and eight manufacturing units, finding several food business operators selling Cheese Analogue products as paneer, misleading consumers.
Cheese analogue is made using vegetable fats and non-milk ingredients but was allegedly sold under labels such as "Paneer", "Malai Paneer", "Milk Paneer", and "Fresh Paneer". Authorities also found bulk products repacked under misleading names like "Premium Paneer" without proper licences or traceability. Enforcement drives are continuing, and food samples have been sent for laboratory testing.
What is Analogue Paneer?
As defined by the FSSAI, "Analogue means a product in which constituents not derived from milk take the place, in part or in whole, of any milk constituent(s) and the final product resembles, organoleptically and/or functionally, milk or milk product or composite milk product as defined in these regulations."
How to Identify Fake Paneer at Home
The FSSAI has issued tests to check adulteration in milk products. Here are some ways to identify genuine paneer:
- Taste and Texture: Pure paneer has a firm texture and a fresh, milky aroma. Avoid paneer lacking creamy texture and milky smell.
- Read the Package: Check labels for terms like "analogue" or "imitation" which legally must be displayed if the product isn't authentic paneer.
- Use Your Hands: Mash paneer with clean hands; adulterated paneer made with skimmed milk will fall apart under pressure.
- Iodine Tincture Test: Boil paneer in water, cool, add iodine tincture. If it turns blue, the paneer is artificial.
- Arhar Dal Test: Boil paneer, cool, add tur dal powder. If it turns light red, it indicates detergent or urea.
- Soybean Powder Test: Boil paneer, cool, add soybean powder. A light red color indicates adulteration.
Stay informed and ensure food safety by being vigilant about the products you consume.
