Mumbai: 550 kg fake cheese sold as paneer seized

An official said that cheese analogue — a cheap, unhealthy substitute made using milk powder, palm oil, and chemicals — was being marketed as “malai paneer” and sold to unsuspecting customers including local residents, restaurants, and caterers.

According to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations, any product that resembles cheese but does not contain real dairy must be clearly labeled as “cheese analogue.”

Selling it as paneer is illegal and dangerous, as it poses serious health risks including food poisoning due to low protein content and poor quality ingredients, the official said.

The raid was carried out by the control unit of the crime branch as part of a larger effort to curb illegal and dangerous food businesses operating in the city. “Strict legal action will be taken against anyone involved in the production or sale of adulterated food products,” an official said.

The official said that ahead of the festive season, there was a lot of food adulteration. “It is an appeal to citizens to buy paneer and dairy only from reputable stores and brands, check labels and avoid loose or unmarked products. Real paneer has a milky smell and grainy texture; fake versions feel rubbery or waxy. Citizens should call any of the police helpline numbers if they come across fake paneer,” the official said.