Around 70 quintals of suspected adulterated paneer were seized during raids conducted by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) Health Department and Food Safety Department at multiple locations in Cuttack. The action was taken amid concerns that large quantities of substandard paneer were being brought into the city to meet increased demand during the upcoming festive season. Officials collected samples from the seized stock and sent them to a laboratory for detailed examination.

The seized paneer was subsequently destroyed at the Sati Chaura dumping yard, preventing it from entering the local market or reaching consumers. Authorities said the destruction was carried out after the stock was seized during inspections at different locations. However, the suspected adulteration has not yet been conclusively established, as laboratory testing is still pending. Officials are expected to determine whether the products contained prohibited substances or failed to comply with prescribed food safety standards.

The CMC Health Department said further action against the traders involved would depend on the laboratory results. If testing confirms the presence of adulterants or establishes that the paneer did not meet required safety standards, the authorities are expected to initiate appropriate legal proceedings. The investigation is therefore likely to focus on the source of the products, the supply chain through which they entered the city and the traders responsible for their distribution.

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The raids come at a time when demand for milk-based products and other food items generally rises ahead of major festivals. Officials suspect that the increase in demand may encourage the movement and sale of lower-quality or adulterated food products. Paneer is widely consumed in homes, restaurants and catering establishments, making food safety checks particularly important during periods when large quantities are purchased and supplied across the city.

Authorities have consequently stepped up inspections of food outlets, storage facilities and supply chains across Cuttack. The intensified checks are aimed at identifying potentially unsafe food products before they reach consumers. Officials are also monitoring supplies entering the city as part of broader preventive measures designed to protect public health during the festive period.

The latest seizure follows another raid conducted by the CMC health team on Wednesday in CDA Sector 7, where around one quintal of suspected adulterated paneer was seized. With inspections continuing, authorities are expected to conduct further checks at locations involved in the production, storage and distribution of dairy products. The outcome of the laboratory tests on the larger seizure will determine whether legal proceedings are initiated against the traders concerned.

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