Milk and Paneer Being Made from Powder; Non-Dairy Vendors Selling Dairy Products

Kakatpur, 31/10/2024
(Tushar Dixit)

Many vendors, despite not owning a single cow, are going door-to-door supplying milk, curd, ghee, and paneer. Some shops are openly selling these under the label of “desi” (local/homemade) products. Whether these are genuine or fake is difficult for the common public to determine—so much so that people might unknowingly be consuming poison under the name of desi products.

In areas like Kakatpur and Kundhei, unscrupulous traders are using chemical powders and other substances to manufacture and sell synthetic dairy items, putting public health at serious risk. Worryingly, many local people are leading this illegal business, preparing dairy products like milk, curd, ghee, paneer, and chhena without ever owning cattle, by using adulterated materials. These fake items are cheaper than genuine ones, making them more easily accessible to the public.

According to reports, such traders are actively operating in various areas including Kakatpur market, Medical Square, Kundhei Hat Square, Anand Bazaar, Bangurigaan, and Othaka Hat. Not only are they selling these items loose, but some are packaging them professionally and distributing them to retail shops.

For example, sour curd is being sold at ₹50 per kg, and ghee (claimed to be cow ghee) is available for ₹200–₹300 per kg, whereas the real market price is significantly higher. Additionally, synthetic paneer is reportedly being brought in from Bhubaneswar by bus, in bulk quantities every day, due to growing demand in the area. Vendors purchase this paneer at just ₹100 per kg and sell it at ₹200–₹250 per kg.

While these traders are playing with public health by supplying adulterated and toxic food items, police, health officials, and the supply department remain in deep slumber. It seems the authorities have entirely forgotten their responsibility to catch and act against such criminal activities. Due to the absence of any raids or inspections, the fake dairy trade is thriving and expanding rapidly.

Locals are now strongly demanding a high-level crackdown and thorough investigation into this dangerous practice before the situation worsens further.