Kataka: Health officials from Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) seized around 7000 kg of adulterated paneer (cottage cheese/chhena) valued at around Rs 17.5 lakh at Link Road in Odisha’s Kataka city on Wednesday, marking the second significant crackdown on adulterated food in the Silver City within two days.
The action comes as demand for paneer and other dairy products have surged during Sharvana month.
The teams intercepted seven vehicles, including stocks carried in an auto-rickshaw, before they could reach local hotels, eateries and markets. On-site testing was conducted using iodine solution during which only 30 kg of the seized poneer was found fit for consumption, while the rest turned black, indicating heavy adulteration and unfit for human consumption.
The adulterants included maida (refined wheat flour), starch and skimmed milk powder or synthetic agents, which artificially boost weight and volume while cutting production costs. “The samples failed the iodine test completely, turning dark black due to high starch and flour content. Under the Food Safety Act, this is totally toxic and unfit for human consumption,” said a health official.
The confiscated stock was destroyed, and samples were sent to state food testing laboratories for detailed chemical analysis.
The seized paneer was reportedly sourced from the Niali area. CMC food safety teams have written to the Chief District Medical Officer regarding the seizure and the suspected source of the adulterated paneer. They have also taken up the matter with the district health authorities and sought necessary action.
On Tuesday, CMC officials sealed two hotels in Kataka’s CDA Sector 6 after finding suspected adulterated paneer alongside expired curd, stale food and poor kitchen hygiene. More than one quintal adulterated paneer was also seized from a supplier.
Officials indicated that further inspections would target the manufacture, transportation and distribution networks of such products.
