Surat: The Food Inspection Department of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Monday announced that six paneer and cheese samples collected during an inspection drive conducted across the city over the past month were found to be substandard.

As part of the special inspection campaign, SMC teams collected paneer and cheese samples from various dairies, hotels, and restaurants across Surat. The samples were sent to SMC’s Public Health Laboratory for testing. According to the Food Analyst at the laboratory, the six samples failed to meet standards prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related regulations.

The establishments and products that failed quality checks include:

Hinglaj Dairy, Bamroli Road – Premium Fresh Paneer (Low Fat) was declared substandard due to the presence of Beta-Sitosterol and fat content exceeding prescribed standards.

Tornito Pizza (Shree Hospitality), Vesu – A paneer sample was found substandard due to the presence of Beta-Sitosterol, lower-than-required fat content, and an excessive B.R. reading in the extracted fat. Its Sonai Derista Mozzarella Cheese Diced sample also failed quality standards due to lower milk fat content.

Orange International, opposite Surat Railway Station – Milku Malai Paneer was declared substandard due to the presence of Beta-Sitosterol, lower fat content, and excessive extracted fat readings.

Hotel Sifat International and Farmaish Restaurant, near Surat Railway Station – Milku Medium Fat Paneer was found substandard because of the presence of Beta-Sitosterol and insufficient fat content.

Shree Bhagyalaxmi Dairy, Hodi Bangla area – A paneer sample failed quality standards due to the presence of Beta-Sitosterol, lower fat content, and an excessive B.R. reading.

The civic body stated that further legal action will be initiated against the concerned establishments under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its related rules. DeshGujarat