UP Food Safety Department Intercepts 2,500 kg of Suspected Fake Paneer in Mathura

Authorities in Mathura intercepted a pick-up van transporting 2,500 kg of suspected synthetic paneer from Rajasthan during a midnight raid. The entire consignment, valued at over ₹5 lakh, was destroyed, and the vehicle driver was arrested.

The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) department in Mathura intercepted 2,500 kg of contaminated and suspicious paneer being brought into the border district from Rajasthan during a midnight raid.

Following the interception, officials ordered the destruction of the entire consignment, sent samples for laboratory testing, and arrested the driver of the vehicle transporting the product.

According to Assistant Commissioner (Food) Jatin Kumar Singh, the department received information on Thursday that a large quantity of substandard, synthetic paneer was being transported to Mathura from the Kaman tehsil of Rajasthan's Deeg district.

Singh noted that due to the high demand for khoya and paneer for sweets prepared during the Diwali season, large quantities of substandard food items are frequently brought into Mathura from neighbouring states like Rajasthan and Haryana, as well as from other districts.

Acting on the intelligence, two teams were deployed along different routes. Around 1:30 am on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, the teams intercepted a suspicious pick-up van near Bathen Gate in the Kosi Kalan area on the Delhi-Agra National Highway.

A search of the vehicle uncovered 2,500 kg of suspected paneer. Officials stated that the product appeared to be synthetically produced and was being transported under unhygienic conditions.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Salim, has been arrested by authorities. Officials estimated the value of the seized paneer to be over ₹5 lakh.

Assistant Commissioner Jatin Kumar Singh stated that further legal action will be initiated against the businessman who ordered the consignment once the official test results are received from the laboratory.

"This incident highlights critical supply chain vulnerabilities in the unorganized food and dairy sector, particularly during peak festival seasons like Diwali. For businesses operating in food distribution and retail, supply chain transparency and rigorous vendor verification are essential to maintain consumer trust and comply with regulatory standards. Regulatory crackdowns of this nature emphasize the importance of stringent quality controls across regional trade networks." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes