Guwahati: Nearly 70% of paneer samples tested in Guwahati failed quality standards, Assam health minister Ashok Singhal said on Tuesday.“Of the 60 samples we collected for analysis, 41 were found non-conforming. Of these, 36 were sub-standard and five were unsafe. Unbranded paneer of this kind is being sold openly in the market, and it poses a risk to public health,” Singhal said.He said animal fat, palm oil and soy fat were being mixed with paneer and sold in the market.Citing the Food Safety and Standards Act, Singhal said, “A penalty of up to Rs 5 lakh could be imposed for selling substandard food products. A penalty of Rs 3 lakh could also be imposed for misbranding, including selling products under another company’s brand name without authorisation.”Singhal said the department would soon release an awareness video demonstrating simple ways to test paneer at home, acknowledging that consumers may find it difficult to identify adulterated products.
