Punjab collects 211 paneer samples in statewide anti-adulteration drive

Chandigarh: Punjab food and drugs administration (FDA) has collected 211 paneer samples during a two-day statewide drive aimed at checking adulteration and ensuring food safety standards.The drive, conducted on Monday and Tuesday, covered dairies, processing units and retail outlets across urban and rural areas.Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh said the samples had been sent to the state food laboratory for testing for adulteration, contamination and compliance with prescribed standards. "Any food business operator found violating norms will face strict legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006," he said.The paneer drive comes close on the heels of a statewide milk sampling campaign conducted on May 6 and 7. Of the 204 milk samples collected during that exercise, 68 failed quality standards while one sample was found unsafe, the minister said.FDA commissioner Kanwal Preet Brar said food safety officers were also sensitising food business operators about hygiene and storage practices.The state govt said the enforcement drive against adulterated food products would continue in the coming weeks.