The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) inspected 14 dairy units in Hyderabad and adjoining areas as part of a special enforcement drive targeting establishments involved in the manufacture and sale of paneer and other dairy products on Saturday (September 5, 2026)
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Is the paneer on your plate made from milk or vegetable fat? This question is in the spotlight after Telangana food safety authorities found palm oil and glycerol monostearate at dairy units allegedly manufacturing ‘analogue’ paneer during inspections in Hyderabad on Saturday (September 5, 2026).The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) inspected 14 dairy units in Hyderabad and adjoining areas as part of a special enforcement drive targeting establishments involved in the manufacture and sale of paneer and other dairy products.Officials found loose palm oil and glycerol monostearate (GMS) at some units preparing analogue paneer. GMS is a food emulsifier that can be used to bind ingredients such as vegetable fats, skimmed milk powder and water to produce a texture resembling dairy paneer. Its use in the manufacture of unauthorised or misleading analogue products has raised concerns among food safety officials.As part of the enforcement action, officials lifted 21 samples on suspicion of adulteration and seized food articles valued at ₹7.19 lakh. The seizures included approximately one tonne of palm oil; 476 kg of GCS; 1,760 packs of Mavee’s Classic Premium Cooking Cream and 150 kg of skimmed milk powder on suspicion of quality issues.
