Surat: In a joint operation, the Surat Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) Food Safety Department have busted a racket involving the manufacture of fake paneer in the Pandesara area of the city. A person identified as Mahesh Kumar Sharma has been nabbed for allegedly producing counterfeit paneer using a harmful mixture of palm oil and acidic chemicals and supplying it to the market.

During the raid in Pandesara, the authorities seized 1,401 kilograms of suspected fake paneer, with an estimated market value of around Rs 3.08 lakh. The team also recovered 16 cans filled with palm oil and high-tech machinery used for producing the fake paneer, valued at approximately Rs 25 lakh. In total, goods worth Rs 28.44 lakh were seized during the operation.

Paneer allegedly made using palm oil

Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had been involved in this activity for the past two years. He allegedly produced around 400 kg of ‘analog paneer’ daily. Instead of milk, palm oil and acidic chemicals were used to create a paneer-like texture. The counterfeit paneer was then sold at lower prices to various dairies across Surat, eventually reaching consumers.

Samples sent for laboratory testing

Officials said that samples of the seized paneer have been sent for laboratory analysis. If the lab report confirms that the product is harmful to human health, stricter legal action will be taken against the accused under relevant sections of the law. DeshGujarat