The Pune Food and Drug Administration seized and destroyed 10,888 kilograms of paneer and khoya brought from Karnataka for festive-season sale after finding suspected food safety violations, according to a statement reported by Pudhari. The seized stock was valued at Rs 31.06 lakh.
The action was carried out at locations in Bavdhan, Kasba Peth and Bibwewadi. The report said the operation took place from Monday morning, while the seizure was also described as having been conducted on Saturday. The FDA said the products were suspected to be unsafe for human consumption after inspection and sample testing identified defects.
At Bavdhan, officials seized 3,520 kilograms of paneer valued at Rs 10.56 lakh. A further 3,235 kilograms, worth Rs 8.03 lakh, was seized in Kasba Peth. In Bibwewadi, officials found 3,413 kilograms valued at Rs 10.31 lakh. The operation also covered 720 kilograms of khoya valued at Rs 2.16 lakh at Shivshankar Dairy near Dengle Bridge in Kasba Peth.
The FDA said the paneer was being transported and stored without controlled temperature conditions. Officials also found that low-fat and medium-fat paneer, which was expected to be sold in sealed packaging, was being offered in an unsealed and open form.
The department said the entire stock was destroyed immediately under the Food Safety and Standards Act after defects were detected in samples. The action was conducted under the guidance of Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
The seizure comes as demand for sweets, khoya, mawa and other dairy products increases ahead of the Dasara and Diwali festivals. The report noted that the latest action was the second major seizure involving a large quantity of dairy products within a month, bringing renewed attention to the quality of food reaching consumers in Pune.
The FDA has appealed to consumers and sellers to avoid unauthorised adulteration of milk products with vegetable fat or other substances. The department’s findings also underline the role of temperature-controlled transport, proper storage and sealed sale conditions in maintaining the safety of perishable dairy products.
The authorities have not disclosed further details in the supplied report about the specific substances found in the samples or any prosecutions arising from the seizure. The immediate official action recorded was the destruction of the suspected unsafe stock.
