Serious concerns have emerged over the quality of milk and dairy products being sold in Amritsar after a special enforcement drive by the Punjab Food Safety Department revealed that eight out of twelve tested samples failed laboratory quality standards, including two samples that were declared unsafe for human consumption.
The findings have prompted authorities to initiate legal proceedings against the concerned dairy establishments under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Special Dairy Inspection Drive
According to officials, the sampling exercise was conducted on May 21 under instructions from the Punjab Food and Drug Administration.
Food Safety teams collected samples of:
- Milk
- Paneer
- Curd
- Other dairy products
from various dairy establishments across Amritsar.
The samples were subsequently analyzed at a government-approved food testing laboratory in Kharar.
Disturbing Test Results
The laboratory findings showed:
| Category | Number of Samples |
|---|---|
| Total Samples Tested | 12 |
| Passed Quality Standards | 4 |
| Substandard Samples | 6 |
| Unsafe Samples | 2 |
This means nearly 67 percent of the tested samples failed to meet prescribed food safety standards, raising concerns about dairy product quality and consumer safety.
Paneer Samples Raise Major Concerns
Among the failed samples, the most serious violations involved paneer.
Officials reported that:
- A paneer sample collected from Gill Dairy was declared unsafe for human consumption.
- Another paneer sample from the same dairy was categorized as substandard.
- A paneer sample from Dhillon Dairy was also found unsafe for consumption.
Food safety experts warn that consumption of unsafe dairy products may pose risks ranging from gastrointestinal illness to more serious health complications, depending on the nature and extent of contamination.
Additional Samples Fail Standards
The investigation also found quality deficiencies in products collected from:
- Guru Nanak Dairy — milk sample failed quality parameters.
- Guru Dairy — milk and paneer samples found non-compliant.
- Sharma Dairy — curd sample categorized as substandard.
- Chhabra Dairy — paneer sample failed prescribed standards.
Authorities Promise Strict Action
Speaking on the matter, G. S. Pannu stated that legal action has been initiated against all establishments whose samples failed laboratory analysis.
The Food Safety Department reiterated that adulteration, contamination, and quality violations will not be tolerated and that enforcement efforts will continue to protect consumers.
What This Means for the Dairy Industry
For the dairy sector, the incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of:
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
- Hygienic milk handling
- Proper cold chain management
- Quality assurance systems
- Compliance with FSSAI standards
- Regular testing of dairy products
Food safety experts note that paneer remains one of the most vulnerable dairy products due to its high moisture contentand susceptibility to microbial contamination if not produced, stored, or transported under hygienic conditions.
Read More: Amul to Invest ₹200 Crore in New Dairy Plant at Bihar
The findings highlight the need for stronger quality control measures across the dairy supply chain and underscore the importance of regular food safety surveillance to safeguard public health. For dairy professionals and food technologists, the case reinforces the vital role of quality assurance, sanitation, and regulatory compliance in maintaining consumer trust and product safety.
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