OMFED Paneer Quality Assured Amid Adulteration Crackdown

AI FEED

OMFED paneer quality is monitored through a three-stage testing process, according to the state government.
OMFED currently produces around one tonne of paneer daily and can raise output based on demand.
Food safety inspections have intensified ahead of the festive season.

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has sought to reassure consumers about OMFED paneer quality amid an intensified crackdown on adulterated dairy products across the state.

Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik said OMFED follows multiple quality-control checks during the production process and can increase paneer production if demand rises during the festive season.

The assurance comes as municipal and food safety teams continue raids on shops, hotels and suppliers following concerns over adulterated paneer, chhena and other dairy products.

OMFED Paneer Quality Under Three-Stage Testing

According to Minister Mallik, OMFED follows a three-level quality testing system.

The first checks take place when milk is procured from dairy farmers, including testing of fat and SNF, or Solid-Not-Fat, levels.

Further quality testing is conducted at processing facilities before the paneer reaches the packaging stage. A final round of checks is then carried out before the finished product is released into the market.

OMFED Paneer Quality and FSSAI Standards

The minister said OMFED products follow food safety and quality standards prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

He also said vacuum packaging is used for OMFED paneer, helping preserve its freshness for up to 10 days.

Responding to questions about the use of milk powder, Mallik maintained that production follows prescribed food safety requirements and that product quality and safety are not compromised.

OMFED currently produces approximately one tonne of paneer each day. During periods of higher festive demand, production can rise to nearly three tonnes daily.

The federation’s milk procurement is currently between 5.5 lakh and 8 lakh litres per day, giving it the capacity to increase paneer production when market demand requires additional supplies.

Odisha Paneer Adulteration Crackdown Intensifies

The government’s assurance comes against the backdrop of large-scale food safety inspections in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation recently seized nearly 100 kg of stale paneer from shops and hotels. Around two quintals of paneer were reportedly destroyed over two days after being deemed unfit for consumption, while 12 shop owners were fined a total of ₹12,000.

In Cuttack, municipal officials and food safety authorities seized around 70 quintals of suspected adulterated paneer, reportedly worth approximately ₹17 lakh, from different locations, including vehicles and suppliers.

Authorities suspected substances such as maida and starch in some of the seized products, which were subsequently destroyed.

Another 50 kg of suspected adulterated paneer was seized and destroyed in the Badambadi area.

Inspections are continuing at sweet shops and other establishments, including areas around Pahala.

The intensified campaign comes ahead of the festive season, when demand for sweets, paneer and other dairy products typically increases sharply.