Daijiworld Media Network – Lucknow

Lucknow, May 30: The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration has cracked down on two large-scale food adulteration operations in Gorakhpur and Gautam Buddha Nagar, seizing thousands of kilograms of fake paneer and thousands of litres of counterfeit bottled water.

In Gorakhpur, food safety officials confiscated and destroyed 2,500 kg of adulterated paneer along with 800 litres of adulterated milk from paneer production units. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) revealed that harmful substances such as synthetic colours and saccharin—an artificial sweetener—were found in the adulterated products. Over 10 samples have been collected and are currently undergoing testing as part of an ongoing investigation.

Sharing images of the seized products on X, FSSAI tweeted:

“Food Safety Team in UP busts fake paneer racket! 2500 kg of adulterated paneer and 800 litres of milk were destroyed in Gorakhpur. Samples under testing; harmful substances like synthetic colours and saccharin seized. Ensuring what you eat is safe.”

In a separate operation in Gautam Buddha Nagar, the Food Safety Administration seized 13,076 litres of fake packaged drinking water from two unlicensed bottling plants. These plants were found operating without the mandatory FSSAI food licenses. The fake water was being sold under counterfeit labels ‘Bilseri’ and ‘Blesri’, mimicking the design and colour scheme of the well-known brand ‘Bisleri’.

Both plants have been sealed, and samples of the packaged water have been sent for laboratory testing to determine the extent of contamination and safety concerns.

Authorities continue to investigate both cases to ensure food safety compliance and protect consumers from hazardous adulterated products.