A recent audit by health advocate Revant Himatsingka revealed a stark quality divide in India’s paneer market. Out of 11 samples tested, major branded dairies passed all purity checks, while street vendors and small dairies failed, exposing the widespread sale of analogue paneer made using palm oil instead of milk fat.
Analogue paneer, nearly half as protein-rich as real paneer, costs about ₹210 per kg compared to ₹450 for genuine products, raising concerns over nutrition and consumer deception. The findings highlight persistent regulatory gaps, weak supply-chain oversight, and the urgent need to tighten quality controls in the unorganised dairy sector.
While branded manufacturers strengthen consumer trust, regulators must ensure fair enforcement and awareness among smaller producers. For consumers, buying verified dairy brands remains the most reliable way to safeguard nutrition and quality.