CHANDIGARH – In a move to safeguard public health, the Punjab government has launched an aggressive, state-wide crackdown on food adulteration. The initiative follows alarming data revealing that a significant portion of daily dairy staples, particularly milk and paneer, fails to meet basic safety and quality standards.
Escalating Crisis in Dairy Safety
The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Punjab recently concluded a two-day intensive milk sampling drive on May 6 and 7, 2026. The results were concerning: out of 204 samples collected from across the state, 68 samples (33%) failed quality benchmarks, and one sample was declared outright hazardous for human consumption.
Following these findings, the government immediately pivoted to a secondary targeted campaign focusing on paneer. Between May 18 and 19, authorities collected 211 paneer samples from dairies, processing units, and retail outlets. These samples have been dispatched to state-accredited laboratories to test for synthetic additives, starch, sucrose, and harmful chemicals.
“No Tolerance” Policy
Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh has taken a firm stance, warning that those jeopardizing public health will face the full weight of the law.
“Any Food Business Operator found violating the norms of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, will face strict legal action,” Dr. Singh stated. “Our objective is to provide ‘Shudh Ann’ (pure food) to every household in Punjab.”
FDA Commissioner Kanwal Preet Brar noted that the department is moving beyond mere enforcement by actively educating vendors on hygienic handling and proper storage practices. The current campaign is part of a broader, high-tech surveillance strategy that utilizes “Food Safety on Wheels” mobile laboratories to provide on-the-spot testing for daily essentials.
Historical Data Highlights Persistent Risks
The recent surge in enforcement reflects a long-term challenge in maintaining food quality. While the state has conducted thousands of tests over the past four years, the recurrence of non-compliant samples remains a significant public health concern:
| Year | Total Samples Tested | Non-Compliant/Failed |
| 2022–23 | 8,179 | 1,724 |
| 2023–24 | 6,041 | 929 |
| 2024–25 | 4,131 | 748 |
| 2025–26 | 6,054 | 852 |
Public Urged to Remain Vigilant
Authorities are urging the public to be cautious when purchasing dairy products from unverified sources. Citizens are encouraged to:
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Purchase only from licensed and reputable vendors.
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Report suspicious food products to local health authorities.
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Utilize mobile testing van services (where available) to verify the purity of daily essentials.
The Health Department has confirmed that inspection drives will continue across the state in the coming weeks, targeting not just dairy, but also vegetables, poultry, and spices, as part of a comprehensive mission to ensure a “Healthy and Rangla Punjab.”
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