Fake paneer scandal sparks nationwide food safety alarm

A recent controversy involving Gauri Khan’s upscale restaurant Torii has intensified concerns over food adulteration in India. A YouTuber accused the restaurant of serving ‘fake’ paneer after performing a simple iodine test, sparking a social media storm. Though the restaurant issued a clarification and the YouTuber was criticized for spreading unverified claims, the incident has shed light on a more alarming issue which is the rampant paneer adulteration across the country. 

Also Read: Pawan Kalyan and Prakash Raj clash over Tirupati laddoo adulteration controversy

According to a recent report from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), paneer is now the most adulterated food item in India. Inspections conducted between April 2024 and March 2025 revealed that 83% of paneer samples failed to meet food safety standards. Of these, 40% were deemed unsafe for human consumption. Many of the adulterated samples contained harmful substances like synthetic milk, starch, palm oil and even detergents posing severe health standards. 

Cities like Hyderabad have witnessed multiple raids exposing such practices. In January 2025, 600 kilograms of adulterated paneer made with palm oil and acetic acid were seized in Alwal. Earlier in October 2024, another raid uncovered over 300 kilograms of unsafe paneer and dairy products at a milk products company. 

Public outrage is mounting, with citizens calling for stronger regulatory checks, strict penalties for offenders, and educational campaigns to raise awareness. With paneer being a daily staple in many Indian homes, the crisis demands urgent government intervention.