Palm oil, emulsifier found at Hyderabad units making 'analogue' paneer
TG SAFE raids 14 Hyderabad dairies; finds palm oil, GMS at units making analogue paneer. Three licences suspended, 21 samples lifted.
Food safety authorities in Telangana have cracked down on dairy units suspected of manufacturing 'analogue' paneer — a product that mimics real paneer but is made using vegetable fats rather than milk solids.
During a special enforcement drive on Saturday, the Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) inspected 14 dairy units in Hyderabad and surrounding areas. Officials reported finding loose palm oil and glycerol monostearate (GMS), a food emulsifier, at several premises. GMS can bind vegetable fat, skimmed milk powder and water to create a texture similar to dairy paneer, raising concerns about misleading products being sold as genuine paneer.
As part of the action, authorities lifted 21 samples on suspicion of adulteration and seized food articles valued at ₹7.19 lakh. The seizures included roughly one tonne of palm oil, 476 kg of GMS, 1,760 packs of cooking cream and 150 kg of skimmed milk powder.
Licences of three establishments were suspended with immediate effect: Laxmi Foods at Gaganpahad, Dhana Lakshmi Dairy Products at Mailardevpally, and Natraj Milk and Milk Food Products in Alwal.
At Laxmi Foods, inspectors noted unhygienic conditions, including cockroach infestation, untidy milk containers and improper storage. The unit reportedly held 600 litres of loose palm oil and was using GMS in paneer production.
Dhana Lakshmi Dairy Products was found with blocked drains, a foul smell, house flies and poor personal hygiene among handlers. Officials recovered 195 litres of loose palm oil and GMS there.
At Natraj Milk and Milk Food Products, the team reported rusty asbestos sheets, dampness, moss growth and mouldy surfaces, along with the use of GMS in paneer making.
Improvement notices have been issued to Sri Mahalaxmi Kendra at Khanapur and Anitha Dairy at Hayathnagar, with reinspections planned to check compliance. Show-cause notices were also sent to Geetha Dairy at Nadergul and NARMUL (Mother Dairy), with further action including possible penalties proposed.