🚨 One-Third of Dairy Samples in Ludhiana Fail Food Safety Tests, Paneer and Ghee Most Affected

Ludhiana, Punjab – A recent food safety crackdown in Ludhiana has revealed alarming levels of adulteration in dairy products. According to district health authorities, nearly one in three samples of milk and milk products collected between September 2024 and February 2025 failed to meet food safety standards.

Out of 82 dairy product samples tested, 24 were found substandard, raising red flags about quality and hygiene in the district’s food supply chain. This includes popular items such as paneer, ghee, and milk, which are daily staples for thousands of families.

“These figures are concerning, especially for a dairy-consuming region like Ludhiana. We’re intensifying inspections and legal action to protect public health,” said Dr. Amarjeet Kaur, District Health Officer (DHO).

Substandard Paneer and Ghee Dominate Failures

The most worrying trend emerged in paneer samples, where 12 out of 39 failed food quality norms—over 30%. Ghee followed closely, with 8 out of 21 samples found to be substandard. Milk showed better compliance, with only 1 failure out of 9 samples, and lassi samples passed all quality checks.

In total, 43 out of 228 food samples (including both dairy and non-dairy items like spices, dry fruits, fast food, fruits, and vegetables) failed safety tests. 24 reports are still pending, which could push these figures even higher.

How the Enforcement Works

The food safety wing of the health department routinely collects samples from markets, grocery shops, dairies, and food vendors. These are sent to the State Food Safety Laboratory in Kharar for analysis. Currently, four food safety officers manage this task in Ludhiana, with temporary support from Moga district.

Legal action is pursued if samples fail:

• Minor violations lead to spot challans.

• Serious offenses are referred to the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) or, in critical cases, to the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), who can impose harsher penalties.

Public Reaction and Industry Implications

While residents have appreciated the department’s efforts, there is growing demand for tighter surveillance.

“Regular checks are welcome, but they must be stricter and more frequent. Public health should never be compromised,” said Amandeep Singh, a local consumer.

With Ludhiana being a major consumption and transit hub for dairy in Punjab, this development is likely to impact dairy supply chains, retail practices, and consumer trust. Dairy producers, processors, and vendors are being urged to reinforce internal quality checks and ensure compliance with FSSAI standards.