Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Despite periodic raids and enforcement drives, the illegal trade in fake paneer, adulterated milk and synthetic khoya continues to operate across Delhi-NCR.
An India Today undercover sting operation conducted in February 2026 has uncovered a well-organised supply chain stretching from Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh to markets across the National Capital Region.
The investigation traced the racket from production units in Mewat, Haryana, to distribution hubs in Delhi, and further to milk and khoya operators in Shamli and Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh. The probe documented the manufacturing and distribution of substandard dairy products that were sold as genuine paneer, milk and khoya.
FAKE PANEER FACTORIES OPERATING IN MEWAT
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The investigation found dozens of illegal units operating in the Mewat region of Haryana, around 130 km from Delhi. While Mewat is often described as a cybercrime hub, the investigation found that it has also emerged as a major supplier of dubious paneer to the National Capital Region.
Hidden inside sheds in agricultural fields and residential compounds, these units manufactured paneer on an assembly-line using soybean extract, palm oil, vanaspati, milk powder, baking soda and Selkhadi (soapstone/talc powder).
The team found large plastic drums, palm oil canisters, soybean sacks and milk powder bags stacked inside the makeshift factories. Workers were seen producing white blocks of cottage cheese that appeared visually similar to genuine paneer.
WHAT FOOD REGULATIONS REQUIRE
According to food regulations, paneer must be made from cow or buffalo milk and meet prescribed fat and moisture standards. Products prepared using vegetable fats and plant proteins fall under the category of dairy analogues and must be clearly labelled as “non-dairy” or “analogue”.
However, the products manufactured at the units visited during the investigation were being sold as regular paneer.
‘PURE PANEER IS NOT AVAILABLE HERE’
In Khedi Kalan village in Firozpur Jhirka, the investigation team met Mustafa, who identified himself as a bulk paneer trader sourcing products from local manufacturing units.
Posing as buyers seeking at least 100 kg of paneer every day, the undercover team was offered different grades priced at Rs 190 per kg, Rs 160 per kg and Rs 120-130 per kg.
Mustafa said the pricing depended on the proportion of soybean, milk powder, palm oil and Selkhadi used in the product.
When asked about pure paneer, Mustafa said that pure paneer was not available in the region.
To demonstrate the operation, Mustafa took the team to a factory that he claimed was operating from the house of a village sarpanch. The team found paneer being produced there using milk and palm oil mixtures.
Mustafa explained the manufacturing process, saying soybeans were soaked for 10-12 hours before being crushed to extract soy milk. Workers then added milk powder, boiled the mixture and used refined oil during preparation.
He also said producing large quantities of paneer using only pure milk was “not feasible.”
SUPPLY CHAIN EXTENDS TO DELHI
In nearby Gurjar Nangla village, another operator identified as Safi offered soybean paneer for around Rs 150 per kg, refined oil-mixed paneer for Rs 200 per kg and pure milk paneer for Rs 290 per kg.
Safi explained that manufacturers first removed cream from milk and then mixed skimmed milk with milk powder and refined oil to produce paneer.
He claimed that his products reached 10 to 15 distribution centres in Delhi, including Azadpur Mandi, Nangloi and Dwarka Mor.
According to Safi, daily demand during the wedding season increased from around 1,200-1,300 kg to more than 2,200 kg.
PANEER OFFERED FOR RS 80 PER KG
To corroborate its findings, the investigation also met Haji Karar, who operates MK Industries and displays an FSSAI licence number at his unit.
Karar offered medium-quality paneer, made with half soybean and half milk, for Rs 140 per kg. He also offered what he described as third-grade “Ragdu” paneer for Rs 80 per kg.
The pricing raises significant questions because producing one kilogram of paneer typically requires 4.5 to 5 litres of full-cream milk or 6 to 7 litres of regular milk. With good-quality milk costing around Rs 80 per litre, paneer priced at Rs 80 per kg appears inconsistent with normal production costs.
Karar claimed that he supplied between 3,400 and 4,000 kg of paneer every day to Gurgaon through 18 to 19 customers.
When asked whether the lowest-grade “Ragdu” paneer was fit for consumption, he maintained that it was edible.
OPERATION FAKE MILK
The second phase of the investigation reached Bhausni village in Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh.
There, the team met a wholesaler identified as Shokeen, who produces khoya and claimed to supply around 10 quintals of milk every day.
Shokeen agreed to supply three grades of milk — high quality, medium quality and cheap adulterated milk — at prices ranging from Rs 35 to Rs 60 per litre depending on the ingredients used.
HOW ADULTERATED MILK WAS PREPARED
Shokeen openly described the preparation of adulterated milk.
According to him, manufacturers mixed skimmed milk with baking soda and added Dalda (vanaspati) or ghee to artificially increase fat content.
He claimed that one kilogram of ghee and baking soda was mixed with 30 kilograms of skimmed milk to raise fat levels.
Shokeen also admitted that such milk would not pass government laboratory testing. He further claimed that samples often passed only after “give and take”, suggesting corruption in the testing process.
To demonstrate his claim, Shokeen prepared soda-mixed milk and drank it himself.
He also admitted that manufacturers used adulterated milk to produce paneer and khoya.
OPERATION FAKE KHOYA
The third phase of the investigation took the team to Dhanaura village in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh, where they met Hashim, who claimed to specialise in manufacturing synthetic khoya.
Hashim offered to produce khoya for Rs 27,000 per month using ingredients supplied by the buyer.
He described several manufacturing methods, including one that used 25 kg of Selkhadi (soapstone/talc), 25 kg of milk powder and Dalda.
Hashim claimed that this mixture could produce approximately 92 to 97 kg of khoya.
He also described cheaper variants prepared using milk powder, Selkhadi powder and Dalda.
According to Hashim, manufacturers required half a kilogram of Dalda for every kilogram of Selkhadi, which he claimed could be sourced from Delhi.
Hashim further claimed that two helpers could produce around 500 kg of fake khoya every day.
HEALTH RISKS LINKED TO SELKHADI
Selkhadi, also known as soapstone or talc, is an industrial mineral commonly used in cosmetics and manufacturing.
Its consumption can affect the nervous system, damage the kidneys, lungs and heart, increase cancer risk and harm unborn foetuses.
The investigation that this substance is being mixed into dairy products consumed by the public.
QUESTIONS OVER FOOD SAFETY OVERSIGHT
The investigation documented an parallel dairy economy operating across Mewat, Shamli and Baghpat.
It found paneer being offered for as little as Rs 80 per kg, milk thickened with baking soda and Dalda, and khoya bulked up with soapstone.
The findings raise serious questions about food safety oversight and regulatory enforcement, as lakhs of consumers across Delhi-NCR may unknowingly be consuming adulterated dairy products.
The investigation suggests that unless monitoring and accountability mechanisms are strengthened, the illegal network may continue to operate across the region.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
