Srinagar: In a major public health move, the Food Safety Department of Jammu and Kashmir has banned the manufacture, sale, and transport of loose paneer containing foreign or vegetable fat across the Union Territory.
The ban, ordered by Commissioner of Food Safety Smita Sethi, comes after raids revealed large quantities of paneer being brought into J&K from neighbouring states under unhygienic, non-refrigerated conditions without valid bills or invoices.
Lab tests by the National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad confirmed adulteration — detecting Beta-Sitosterol, a compound showing the use of vegetable fat, rendering the paneer unsafe for consumption.
Declaring the adulterated paneer a serious health threat, the Commissioner warned strict action against violators. The order will remain in force until traders fully comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related regulations.
