Suspicious khoya, paneer and ghee worth ₹47 lakh seized in Pune

Pune: The Pune division of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted simultaneous raids at 17 locations across the city, seizing possibly adulterated stocks of khoya (condensed milk solids), paneer (cottage cheese), cheese analogue (cheese made using vegetable oil and other ingredients) and ghee, valued at Rs47.36 lakh in total.This special drive targeted establishments selling dairy products in Somwar Peth, Budhwar Peth, Shukrawar Peth, Kothrud and Hadapsar. The operation was carried out on Friday as part of the ‘Safe Food, Safe Drug, Safe Maharashtra’ campaign led by the FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. During the inspection, authorities seized stocks that lacked labels or purchase invoices, food items stored in unhygienic conditions and products suspected of adulteration. A total of 35 samples of these food products were collected from these establishments and sent to the laboratory for analysis.Digambar Bhogawade, joint commissioner (food), FDA Pune division, said, “Legal proceedings are being initiated against the establishments found to be in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its associated regulations. Once the laboratory reports are received, we will initiate further action if found adulterated.” He further warned that such enforcement actions would continue in the future against establishments that compromise consumer health and engage in the illegal sale of substandard or adulterated food products.Stock of dairy products seized in the cityFood Item – Weight – Value in Rs1. Paneer – 2,806 kg – 7,55,6052. Khoya – 13,127 kg – 34,35,1523. Cheese Analogue – 138 kg – 28,7254. Ghee – 960 kg – 5,16,536Total (4 items) – 17,031 kg – 47,36,000