Paneer Adulteration Alert: Chuna Used To Whiten Synthetic Paneer? Here’s What Raids Revealed

Paneer is a favourite among Indian homes due to its great taste and high protein content. But with the current food safety operations that have taken place, there is a shocking revelation of paneer adulteration, which involves the use of chuna (calcium hydroxide) to make artificial paneer without milk. The following is all the information you need to know about the revelation.

What Did Food Safety Raids Reveal About Synthetic Paneer?

As per a report, in a recent operation against fake paneer in the region of Punahana in the Nuh district of Haryana, thousands of kg of synthetic paneer ready to be sold to the various markets in Delhi-NCR were confiscated. The inspectors found huge containers of chuna used in the manufacturing process of paneer in manufacturing units. It was found that 200 samples out of 285 were not meeting quality parameters.

Why Is Chuna Allegedly Used To Whiten Synthetic Paneer?

Synthetic paneer is usually produced using non-dairy fats such as palm oil, soy pastes, and starch, thus creating a dull, yellowish-colored mass. Chuna, or slaked lime, is reported to be added to this artificial paneer to bleach the mixture and make it look white, fooling innocent customers.

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What Is Synthetic Paneer Made Of?

Contrary to the process of making paneer through curdling whole milk, artificial paneer uses very small quantities of actual milk. The artificial paneer is made by mixing:

• Poor-quality vegetable oil or palm oil

• Starch or soy pulp

• Detergent and soaps (for emulsifying oil and water)

• Urea or chemical bleach, such as chuna (slaked lime)

Is Adulterated Paneer Harmful To Your Health?

Yes, eating adulterated paneer is extremely dangerous to health because:

• Gastrointestinal Problems: Chemical substances like chuna and detergent lead to acute abdominal pain, vomiting, and severe irritation due to stomach acids.

• Liver Damage: Continuous consumption of industrial oils, urea, and whitening substances is harmful to the liver.

How To Identify Suspicious Or Adulterated Paneer

• Genuine paneer is soft and crumbly. Fake paneer is rubbery, tight, or too elastic to touch.

• Take some paneer, crush it into boiling water, allow it to cool down, and then add 2–3 drops of iodine solution. The presence of starch indicates that the colour will turn blue.

• Crush some paneer in hot water along with a small amount of arhar dal powder and observe whether the water becomes pinkish red in colour.

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Conclusion

As the food safety agencies continue their inspection drives against the manufacturing units violating the law, consumers should be more cautious. The best thing consumers can do is purchase paneer packed by authorised dairy manufacturers.

Image credits: Freepik

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