HASAN HADI / Dehradun
During the festive period, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has intensified inspections across Uttarakhand to check unhygienic eateries and food adulteration. The FSDA has shared a simple test to help people identify possible vanaspati fat adulteration in Ghee, sweets and paneer.
The additional commissioner of the FSDA Tajbeer Singh said that consumers should be cautious about food products whose quality or purity is doubtful. According to officials, iodine can be used to check for certain types of adulteration in milk based products. If the sample turns red, it may indicate that the product is not adulterated, while a dark blue or black colour may indicate possible adulteration. Singh also said that people could use an electronic milk analyser to assess milk quality. The device provides readings for different milk parameters, which can help identify possible dilution or quality issues.
In the case of paneer, its moisture and solid content can be checked to assess whether it meets the required standards. The food safety regulators also demonstrated the use of iodine to identify possible adulteration in milk based products. The demonstration showed genuine paneer turns pale yellow, while a reddish or pink colour may indicate possible adulteration.
According to the FSDA data for 2025-26, the department collected 376 samples of milk and milk-based products across Uttarakhand. Of these, 94 failed quality tests, including 36 classified as unsafe and 58 found to be substandard. The FSDA has three food testing vans in the state, two in Dehradun and one in Rudrapur. The department also has only one testing kit, highlighting the limited availability of on the spot testing facilities.
Between January and the end of August, the department collected another 85 samples, of which 11 failed the tests.
