Adulterated Paneer Factory Busted in North Gujarat; Owner Attacks Journalists

Mehsana: The Food and Drugs Department team of Mehsana conducted a raid on Saturday at a factory in Vijapur that was manufacturing adulterated paneer. Today, when two journalists covering the story questioned the factory owner, Shailesh Patel, he attacked them, attempted to damage their camera, and even assaulted them using the camera cable.

Following the incident, Patel shut down the factory and fled the scene. Police have registered a complaint against him and launched a manhunt.

Acting on a tip-off, Food Department officers conducted the raid at the Divine Food factory, owned by Shaileshkumar Kantilal Patel, located at Aavkar Warehouse on Himmatnagar Highway, Vijapur. The factory was producing large quantities of paneer regularly supplied to cities including Ahmedabad. Initial investigations revealed that the paneer was being made using palmolein oil instead of milk.

While genuine paneer sells at Rs. 400 per kilogram in the market, the counterfeit paneer was being sold at half the price, around Rs. 200 per kilogram.

Further tests uncovered the use of industrial-grade acetic acid—commonly used in industries—to produce the fake paneer. Authorities seized 649 kilograms of counterfeit paneer and 238 kilograms of palmolein oil. The total value of the seized stock is Rs. 1.61 lakh. Samples have been sent for laboratory analysis, and further action will be taken after the investigation report is received. DeshGujarat