Bhubaneswar, Sep 28: The Kataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) has lodged a complaint against 11 people over the alleged sale and supply of adulterated paneer after laboratory tests detected maida, starch powder and detergent in samples collected during an enforcement drive.

The complaint was filed by the KMC Health Department at Madhupatna police station after laboratory reports on samples collected from around 73 quintals of seized paneer were received, sources said. The persons named in the complaint include small-scale farmers and vendors allegedly involved in supplying and selling the dairy products.

Earlier, authorities had seized around 70 quintals of cheese and paneer from 11 traders during an inspection. The products were reportedly transported to Cuttack from Niali. Around 17 quintals of the seized stock were subsequently destroyed, while samples were sent to a laboratory in Haryana for detailed testing.

The laboratory report detected detergent powder, maida and starch powder in the paneer. According to the findings, the substances were allegedly used to make the paneer softer and smoother while also increasing its weight.

The findings have raised concerns over the safety of dairy products being sold in Cuttack and other parts of Odisha. Enforcement drives have also been intensified in Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Berhampur and Sambalpur following reports of paneer adulteration.

Meanwhile, Cuttack District Food Safety Officer Amita Das was transferred on September 24 in connection with the Niali paneer adulteration case. The transfer came after the Haryana laboratory report was received.

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