Adulterated Paneer Racket Busted in Noida: Fake Cheese Sold Across Delhi-NCR for Six Months

In a major crackdown on food adulteration, Noida police have busted an alleged interstate racket that had been manufacturing and distributing adulterated paneer to eateries and vendors across Delhi-NCR for at least six months. Acting on a tip-off, police intercepted a Mahindra pickup truck in Sector 63 late on Friday night, uncovering nearly 14 quintals of fake paneer.

The driver, identified as Gulfam (32) from Shajapur village in Aligarh, was detained and questioned overnight. His statement led police to a concealed production unit located in Sahajpura village, where three more suspects — Guddu alias Rish (36), who ran the plant, and distributors Ikhlaq (30) and Naved (20) — were arrested. All four accused are residents of Aligarh district.

Inside the Method: How Fake Paneer Was Made

According to investigators, the process of creating the adulterated paneer was disturbingly methodical and highly deceptive:

• Large sacks of cheap, starch-rich agricultural beans branded as “Red Bull Sortex Clean” were soaked and boiled.

• Chemical whiteners and poster colours were mixed into the boiled paste to give it a milk-like hue and texture.

• A still-unidentified blue chemical compound was added to curdle the mixture into paneer-like blocks.

• The blocks were strained and cooled, ultimately resembling authentic cottage cheese.

In another batch, racketeers used milk powder mixed with water or a liquid referred to locally as “saprota,” and added palmolin oil — commonly used in industrial processing — to give it a creamy finish. The adulterated product was then shaped into solid blocks using additional chemicals.

Cheap but Dangerous: Sold to Street Vendors and Eateries

The fake paneer was sold to small eateries and street vendors across Delhi and Noida for Rs 180–220 per kg — nearly half the retail price of genuine paneer. Police suspect the racket had been active for at least six months, quietly infiltrating local food markets.

Food safety officers who examined the seized items described the use of palm oil and poster colours as “a serious health hazard.” Samples of the adulterated paneer have been sent for laboratory testing, and further legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act is expected.

Criminal Charges and Ongoing Investigation

A case has been registered at Sector 63 police station under sections 274, 275, and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. More arrests may follow as police trace the distribution network and identify the buyers.

In videos from the operation, officers can be seen unwrapping blocks of fake paneer, while inside the factory, sacks of powder, drums of oil, and machinery used for production are visible.

Police have also advised consumers to check paneer quality at home: a simple drop of iodine tincture turns black on paneer adulterated with starch, while real paneer shows no reaction.

Public Health Concern

Officials warn that consuming such adulterated paneer could pose significant health risks due to harmful chemicals and industrial oils. Authorities have urged small restaurants and vendors to verify their suppliers to prevent such incidents in the future.

As the investigation continues, this case highlights the critical need for stricter enforcement and public vigilance against food adulteration in the region.