The Pune Food and Drug Administration seized and destroyed 10,888 kg of paneer and khoya valued at ₹31,06,680 during an enforcement drive across Bavdhan, Kasba Peth and Bibwewadi on Monday, after officials found concerns over transportation, storage and sale conditions.
The operation began at 6 am and targeted consignments brought into Pune from Karnataka, according to D. V. Bhogawade, Joint Commissioner (Food), Pune Division, FDA. Officials said the products were being transported and stored at uncontrolled temperatures, raising concerns about their safety and suitability for consumption.
The department also found low-fat and medium-fat paneer being sold without sealed packaging and in unhygienic conditions. Bhogawade said such products were required to be sold in sealed packaging. The FDA described the seized stocks as suspected to be unsafe for human consumption and said they were destroyed because of their perishable nature and the suspected risks involved.
The largest paneer stock, measuring 3,520 kg and valued at ₹10,56,000, was found in Bavdhan. Officials seized another 3,235 kg of paneer worth ₹8,03,220 in Kasba Peth and 3,413 kg valued at ₹10,31,460 in Bibwewadi. A further 720 kg of khoya, valued at ₹2,16,000, was found at Shivshankar Dairy in Kasba Peth.
The paneer consignments were found in three vehicles, while the khoya stock was recovered from the dairy premises. The FDA said further proceedings were being conducted under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The action was carried out under the directions and guidance of Maharashtra Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe as part of the “Safe Food, Safe Drug, Safe Maharashtra” campaign.
Assistant Commissioner (Food) Narayan Sarkate and other FDA officials participated in the operation. The department said demand for khoya, mawa, sweets and other dairy products had increased during the festive season, when large quantities of perishable food move through city markets, transport networks and retail outlets.
The FDA appealed to food businesses not to use vegetable fats or other adulterating ingredients in milk and milk products. Consumers who have complaints about food quality or hygiene can contact the department’s toll-free number, 1800222365. Bhogawade said strict enforcement action would continue.
