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India Today
5 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Paneer and ghee most adulterated foods: Is homemade the safer option?
Paneer, the go-to protein source for vegetarians, is back in the spotlight, but not for good reason. Often used in daily Indian meals, or as a special shahi spread, this much-loved dairy item has come under scrutiny in Punjab after a large-scale quality test revealed that more than one-third of paneer samples were to a recent report by the Punjab Health Department, out of 531 paneer samples tested, 196 failed the quality test, and 59 were declared unsafe for consumption. The reason? Use of starch and harmful chemicals in Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh didn't mince words when he said that these chemicals should not have been used for making paneer. "I advise people to make their own paneer at home or buy it from a certified brand like the Punjab government-owned Verka. One should minimise the purchase of paneer from the market. Earlier, women used to make paneer by boiling curdled milk at home. The same method should be put to use," he said. In the testing process, ghee didn't fare much better. Out of 222 ghee samples tested, 20 were substandard, and 28 were unsafe. And Dr. Singh had something to say about that too, especially the much-hyped A2 ghee.'There is nothing like A2 ghee,' he clarified. 'We have seen vendors selling it for Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per kg. The truth is, there is no such product as A2 ghee; it's just like A1 ghee. Do not get misled. Either buy from Milkfed or make it at home. There is no rocket science in this.'Prachi Jain, Chief Clinical Nutritionist at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, agrees with the idea of homemade dairy. "In homemade paneer or ghee, you have control over the ingredients,' she tells 'You can use good-quality milk, preferably organic. This avoids adulteration with starch, synthetic solids, or poor-quality fats often added in commercial items.'She also points out the added benefits: 'When made at home, these items are preservative-free. Market-bought paneer and ghee could contain anti-foam agents, bleaching chemicals, or additives to extend shelf life or improve appearance.'Homemade dairy also scores on freshness and hygiene. You can maintain cleanliness at each step, from boiling the milk to filtering ghee. You also get to enjoy a better taste, smell, and nutrient another often-ignored factor: paneer sometimes contains added salt for flavour and preservation, but homemade versions are naturally low in sodium, unless you add it aside, there's also the taste and texture. 'You can tweak the firmness of paneer depending on whether you want to grill it or use it in curries,' Prachi said. 'Similarly, ghee can be light and mildly aromatic or deeply browned—your kitchen, your rules.'But is it really practical to make paneer and ghee at home? While it's the safest option, the process demands time, effort, and a lot of milk, something that doesn't quite fit into everyone's busy you can spare the effort, making your own paneer and ghee might be the healthiest, and safest, choice. Because with rising cases of adulteration, the risk might not be worth the convenience.- EndsTrending Reel
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Over one-third paneer samples failed test, don't buy from market, make your own: Balbir
Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Wednesday advised people of the state to prepare their own paneer (cottage cheese) and desi ghee (clarified butter) at home as the state government noticed 'maximum adulteration' in these two products. Addressing mediapersons in Chandigarh on Wednesday, the minister divulged that out of 531 paneer samples tested by the department of health, 196 failed (more than one third) the quality test, and 59 were unsafe for consumption as starch and harmful chemicals were used in the making of paneer. 'These chemicals should not have been used for making paneer. I advise people to make their own paneer at home or buy it from a certified brand like the Punjab government-owned Verka. One should minimise the purchase of paneer from the market. Earlier, the women used to make paneer by boiling curdled milk at home. The same method should be put to use and paneer should be made at home.' The health minister said the second biggest substandard and spurious item in the market was desi ghee. 'Desi ghee is the second most adulterated food product after paneer. We had filled 222 samples of desi ghee from the market, of that 20 samples (9 per cent) were substandard and 28 were unsafe for consumption,' he said. The health minister said, 'There is nothing like A2 ghee. We have seen vendors selling A2 ghee for Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per kg. The truth is, there is no such product as A2 ghee; it's just like A1 ghee. Do not get misled. Either buy from Milkfed or make it at home. There is no rocket science in this. Earlier, households used to make their own desi ghee. It is better to buy milk with fat, remove the fat and then make paneer and ghee. Both these products are the most adulterated.' Dr Balbir, however, said the quality of milk improved in the recent past, 'with 484 samples failing test out of 1,400 in 2022-23 to 88 failing tests out of 654 in 2023-24 and 82 failing tests out of 310 in 2024-25'. He said adulteration was also found in 'masalas' (spices) like 'haldi' (turmeric) and 'deghi mirch'. 'Fruits and vegetables did not have much of a problem. Calcium Carbide is an issue which we keep checking. Now, we have ripening chambers as gas is being used, which is permitted. We can consume more fruits. Vegetables and salads are also safer,' he said. The minister said the government had tightened the noose around those adulterating the food products. 'We have got 145 persons convicted with six months' imprisonment and a fine of Rs 4.75 lakh during the last year.' The health minister asked the people of the state to get their food products tested by food safety vans in the districts. 'They charge only Rs 50 for each sample. It is better to be aware and get the food products tested. We are telling people about safe food. They should opt for foods with low glycaemic index (GI), freshly cooked food and consume 50 per cent fruits and vegetables. This way we can ward off many diseases,' he added. Additionally, over 13,000 samples have been screened for adulteration on food safety on wheels so far, he said, adding that the major categories include paneer, ghee, milk, spices, fruits and vegetables and sweets.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Maximum adulteration in ‘paneer', ‘desi ghee', says health minister
The maximum adulteration has been found in 'paneer' and 'desi ghee', Punjab and family welfare minister Dr Balbir Singh said on Wednesday. The minister said out of 531 samples of 'paneer', 196 samples were found sub-standard and 59 were unsafe for consumption. 'There is maximum adulteration in paneer (cheese) and 'desi ghee' (clarified butter),' said Singh. The sample results of unsafe paneer show that starch or some chemicals were used to make them, he said. Punjab and family welfare minister Dr Balbir Singh Regarding 'desi ghee', the minister said the health authorities took 222 samples and of which 20 were of sub-standard quality and 28 were unsafe for consumption. The minister advised people to purchase 'paneer' and 'desi ghee' from known sources like Verka. The minister informed that in the last five years, around 145 people were convicted and sentenced to six months' imprisonment for making unsafe products, especially 'paneer' and 'desi ghee'. Dr Balbir Singh also exhorted people to make maximum use of the 'Food Safety on Wheels' initiative, which has now been expanded to all districts. These mobile food testing vans are equipped for screening of adulteration among major categories of food, including milk, paneer, water and other daily consumables. 'I urge every individual to get their food tested,' said the health minister. The minister informed that under the current state government, a total of 18,559 enforcement samples along with 12,178 surveillance samples have been collected by the department. Additionally, over 13,000 samples have been screened for adulteration on Food Safety on Wheels so far, he said, while adding that the major categories include paneer, ghee, milk, spices, fruits and vegetable, sweets, khoa, etc. (With PTI inputs)
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
PAC activists corner MC, LIT & Glada over encroachments in green belts
Ludhiana: The Public Action Committee (PAC) has filed a petition in the National Green Tribunal (NGT), accusing the Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana (MCL), Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT), and Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (Glada) of encroaching upon 25 public parks and green belts within their jurisdiction. This move follows ongoing legal proceedings against unauthorised construction in the city's green spaces, under which a show-cause notice was issued to the MC commissioner for non-compliance with previous NGT orders. Activists Kapil Arora and Jaskirat Singh said that following the Tribunal's orders to demolish the MC Extension office, scrap yard, and library building, they had hoped that authorities would respect the integrity of the parks and green belts. However, they were dismayed to find that civic authorities continued to utilise public funds for construction projects. "Despite serving notice upon the principal secretary, Local Body Department and MCL, construction of PWD buildings as well as commercial vending zones has continued at the green belt along old GT road," they said. Arora and Singh claimed that the MC succumbed to political pressure and constructed a box cricket facility using steel structures and artificial grass in the green belt. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Paul Gascoigne's Actual House Left Us With No Words - Take A Look Ohi Blog Undo They also flagged buildings at Vishvakarma Park and City Enclave in Barewal, as well as a dog café in the BRS Nagar green belt. They added that the civic body had not taken action despite notices and complaints submitted through the mSEVA portal. Activists Kuldeep Singh Khaira and Gurpreet Singh alleged that the MC, LIT, and Glada had not only undertaken new construction but had also encroached upon numerous parks and green belts by building offices, residences, Mohalla clinics, and commercial Verka booths. "We had served notice against Verka booths to all three authorities, but Glada has established a new Verka booth in a park at the Sector 32A market, the park opposite BJS Dental College in Sector 39 as well as a park in Jamalpur," they claimed. They added that Verka booths were present in parks at Cheema Chowk, near 200 Road, near BCM School, opposite Convent School in Sarabha Nagar, Gurdev Nagar, Rishi Balmiki Park at Old GT Road, Mini Rose Garden, and others, all of which were included in the petition. Dr Amandeep Singh Bains and Gagnish Khurana said that the MC was constructing overhead water reservoirs at various locations, with plans to build one in Shaheedi Park at Kidwai Nagar. However, they said that most of the park had been encroached upon by the MC through the construction of offices and residences for staff. Activists pointed out that a water tank is dysfunctional and criticised MC officials for planning to establish a new tank without demolishing the old one, which would have preserved trees in the park. "They have demarcated place in the park in a way that more than 15 silver oak trees will be axed," Bains and Khurana said, urging the tribunal to stay construction till the old water tank was removed. Activists have called upon the Tribunal to impose heavy penalties on the MC commissioner for disobeying NGT orders. MSID:: 122904466 413 |
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Burglars target 2 shops and take away eatables, CCTV recorder besides 50k
Ludhiana: A gang of burglars, who came in a car, targeted two shops located in Joshi Nagar market of the Haibowal area in the early hours of Tuesday. Besides Rs 50,000 cash, they stole eatables and beverages from both the shops. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The CCTV cameras installed in the market captured the car of the accused. However, the victims said the number plate was fake. The incident took place around 3am. The matter came to light when security guards reached the spot after taking a round of the market. Jatin Sood, owner of a bakery shop, said there were four of them. One of the accused sat in the car, another stood outside the shop, while two of them barged into the shop by breaking open the shutter. Sood said as soon as the accused entered the shop, they disconnected the wires of the CCTV. Thereafter, they stole Rs 30,000 cash kept in the drawer. They also took away eatables and beverages with them. The burglars also took along the CCTV recorder. Sood said the security guards were not present when the burglars struck. Minutes after the accused left, the security guard reached there, noticed the broken shutters, and informed them. The accused also targeted a Verka milk booth owned by Rakesh Kumar. They stole Rs 20,000 cash which he had kept to make a few payments. The accused also took away water bottles. tnn
