Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, July 30, 2025: In a major crackdown on food adulteration, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) team, along with local police, raided an illegal paneer factory in the Deoband area of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on July 28, 2025. The operation, conducted in Imalia village, uncovered a shocking setup producing fake paneer using harmful chemicals and substandard ingredients. Authorities seized and destroyed nearly 700 kilograms of adulterated paneer and 450 liters of contaminated milk, raising serious concerns about public health in the region.
The raid was prompted by a tip-off received by the FSDA, which revealed that an unlicensed factory was operating in a secluded field in Imalia village. Acting swiftly, a joint team of food safety officials and Deoband police descended on the site, where they found the factory running under unhygienic conditions. The setup was rudimentary, with open containers, dirty equipment, and flies swarming around the production area. The team discovered that the so-called paneer was being made from low-grade milk powder, vegetable oil, and chemicals like sodium formaldehyde sulfoxide, commonly used in textile printing, to give it a white, paneer-like appearance. Industrial detergents were also used to enhance the texture, posing significant health risks to consumers.
During the raid, officials confiscated eight samples of the fake paneer for laboratory testing. Initial findings suggest the product was unfit for human consumption, with potential to cause severe health issues like food poisoning, digestive problems, and long-term illnesses. The seized paneer, valued at approximately ₹1.5 lakh, was destroyed on-site to prevent it from reaching markets. The 450 liters of adulterated milk, suspected to be mixed with water and chemicals, was also disposed of. The factory owner, whose identity has not been disclosed, fled the scene before the authorities arrived, and police are now searching for him.
This bust comes at a critical time, just days before the Rakshabandhan festival, when demand for paneer and dairy products spikes across Uttar Pradesh. Local residents expressed shock and anger, with many saying they had unknowingly purchased paneer from local vendors who might have sourced it from such illegal operations. “We trusted the shops we buy from, but now we’re scared about what we’re eating,” said a Deoband resident. “The government needs to act fast to stop such activities.”
The Saharanpur FSDA has vowed to intensify inspections ahead of the festive season to curb the spread of adulterated food. “This is a serious threat to public health,” said a senior FSDA official, who requested anonymity. “We are working with the police to trace the supply chain and identify other illegal units in the area.” The team has also appealed to the public to report suspicious food products to help crack down on such rackets.
This is not the first time Saharanpur has been in the spotlight for food adulteration. Earlier this month, on July 2, 2025, another raid in the Rampur Maniharan area of Saharanpur led to the seizure of 1,100 kilograms of fake paneer, though 1,000 kilograms mysteriously disappeared during the operation, raising questions about oversight. The Deoband bust is part of a broader wave of food safety raids across Uttar Pradesh, with similar operations reported in Noida, Gorakhpur, and Bulandshahr in recent months. In Noida, for instance, 1,400 kilograms of fake paneer linked to a factory in Aligarh was seized, exposing a large network supplying counterfeit dairy products to Delhi-NCR.
The repeated discoveries of fake paneer factories highlight a growing problem in India’s food industry, where unscrupulous manufacturers cut corners to meet demand at lower prices. Real paneer, made from fresh milk, typically costs ₹350-400 per kilogram, while the fake version is sold for as little as ₹180-220, making it attractive to small vendors and eateries. However, the health risks far outweigh the savings, as chemicals used in these products can cause serious harm over time.
As the investigation continues, the police have filed an FIR under the Food Safety and Standards Act against the factory owner and are working to identify distributors who may have sold the fake paneer to local markets, restaurants, and roadside stalls. Authorities are urging consumers to buy dairy products only from licensed vendors and to check for FSSAI certification on packaging. For now, the people of Saharanpur are left grappling with distrust in the food they consume, hoping for stricter regulations and swift justice to protect their health.
