In a bid to combat food irregularities the State Food Department seized and destroyed 750 kg of paneer sold under the labels ‘Milky Malai’ and ‘Malai Magic’.
The seizure stemmed from laboratory tests that returned the products are unsafe for consumption. The products were reportedly produced at a factory in Urla, Raipur district. Despite the government laboratory declaring the paneer unfit for consumption, the stock remained undestroyed for 44 days.
In view of the delayed response, the department has decided to initiate legal proceedings against the owners of both brands before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court.
Paneer Consignment Was Being Transported to Odisha
On September 8, the Food Department team seized a consignment of paneer from a goods vehicle near Jora while it was being transported to Odisha. The department subsequently sent samples of the paneer to a laboratory in Raipur for quality testing. The laboratory report, received on September 12, declared the paneer from both brands unsafe and below the prescribed standards for consumption. Following the findings, the Food Department immediately suspended the manufacturing company’s licence.
During the investigation, officials questioned the government laboratory’s report and requested that the samples be tested again at the National Food Laboratory. However, despite the laboratory report declaring the products unsafe, the stock was not destroyed for 44 days.
The Food Department taking stern action completely destroyed the 750 kg of paneer at the factory in Urla to prevent it from entering the retail market.
Action Against Contaminated Milk and Sweets in BhilaiThe Food Department also conducted raids at several sweet shops in Bhilai. During the inspections, officials found that expired milk was being used to make paneer. Sweets such as peda, laddoos and barfi were also being prepared in extremely unhygienic and dirty conditions.
Taking immediate action, officials destroyed approximately 2,500 kg of sweets and 1,000 litres of milk. The department also sealed the three establishments for violating food safety norms.