Transfer follows lab confirmation of contaminants in seized paneer
CUTTACK: Days after laboratory tests detected contaminants in paneer seized in August, the commissioner of food safety has transferred the Cuttack district food safety officer, Amita Das, to Mayurbhanj. The move came on Saturday as the district office examines the findings and prepares further action against manufacturers and suppliers linked to the seizure.
Food safety authorities said the laboratory report, finalised last Wednesday, confirmed the presence of starch and a detergent‑like substance in samples taken from the seized dairy product. The paneer had been confiscated during an enforcement drive in August when officials recovered around 71 quintals allegedly produced and supplied from the Niali area of Cuttack district.
- Seized quantity: 71 quintals of paneer.
- Alleged origin: Niali area, Cuttack district.
- Lab findings: Starch and a detergent‑like substance present in paneer samples.
Sources within the food safety office said the department is reviewing the seizure records and laboratory report to decide the next course of action, which could include prosecution, licence suspension or additional raids in the supply chain. Enforcement measures are expected to be undertaken both in Niali and in other locales connected to the distribution network.
"We are trying our best to maintain the food safety norms, even as a few vendors are indulging in adulteration for illegal profit in connivance with food safety officials," said the owner of a paneer manufacturing unit and a member of the Odisha Milk Production Association, requesting anonymity. He added that lack of monitoring and a careless attitude by some officials, who do not visit sites or impose fines for years, has contributed to the problem.
Local context and likely consequences
The seizure and the lab confirmation raise immediate public health concerns in Cuttack and adjoining areas that receive dairy supplies from the district. Paneer is a widely consumed dairy product in the region, used in households, food stalls and restaurants. Contamination with starch and detergent‑like chemicals can affect quality and safety; while the exact health risk depends on concentration and exposure, discovery of such adulterants typically prompts regulatory action and recalls.
Officials have not yet released the identities of the manufacturers or vendors who supplied the seized paneer. The transfer of the district food safety officer indicates administrative response at the state‑level food safety bureaucracy while the probe continues.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Seized quantity | 71 quintals |
| Suspected contaminants | Starch; detergent‑like substance |
| Alleged source | Niali area, Cuttack district |
| Administrative action | Transfer of Cuttack district food safety officer to Mayurbhanj |
What consumers in Cuttack should do
Residents are advised to exercise caution when buying paneer and other fresh dairy products. Practical steps to reduce risk include:
- Purchase paneer from licensed and well‑known vendors or branded dairy stores where labelling and traceability are clearer.
- Check for visible signs of adulteration such as unusual texture, excessive water content, or an off smell.
- Prefer freshly made paneer or sealed packages with manufacturing and expiry dates; ask vendors about their supply source.
- Report suspected adulteration or unhygienic practices to the district food safety office or local authorities so samples can be tested.
While authorities finalise further action, residents who experience illness after consuming dairy products should seek medical attention and inform the treating practitioner about possible food exposure so appropriate tests and treatment can be provided.
Food safety officials said further enforcement measures are likely, but gave no timeline for actions such as prosecution or suspension of licences. The district office continues to examine the evidence gathered during the August drive and the subsequent laboratory report.
Given the central role of paneer in local diets, follow‑up inspections, stricter monitoring and transparent reporting of outcomes will be crucial to restore consumer confidence in Cuttack’s fresh dairy supply chain.
