Kataka: Laboratory tests have found paneer and cottage cheese seized during enforcement raids in Kataka district to be adulterated with starch and detergent, a senior health official said on Wednesday.
A Kataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) health official said nearly 73 quintals of paneer and cottage cheese seized during raids were found unfit for human consumption.
The samples were sent to a laboratory in Haryana for analysis, and the test report has been received by the Odisha State Food Safety Commissioner.
Preliminary findings indicate that starch and detergent were used to adulterate the seized dairy products. Further investigation will ascertain whether any other chemicals or adulterants were present, the official said.
The official said action would be initiated against the traders involved after directions are received from higher authorities.
Following directions from Food Safety Commissioner Poma Tudu, enforcement teams had conducted raids at several locations in August, seizing more than 70 quintals of adulterated paneer besides large quantities of stale and unhygienic food items.
The samples collected during the raids were subsequently sent to the Haryana laboratory for detailed examination.
