Paneer is a favourite in Indian kitchens – whether it’s paneer tikka, shahi paneer, or just a quick protein source for vegetarians. We buy it without thinking twice, assuming it’s safe and made from real milk. But the recent paneer test lab result will shock you.

So, something shocking just came out from the food testing world, and I needed to share this with you immediately.

Food researcher and health educator, Food Pharmer (Revant Himatsingka) tested paneer samples from big brands and local shops across India. And the results were eye-opening.

Food Pharmer collected 11 paneer samples, some from well-known brands and others from local markets and unlabelled dairy shops.

The Good News

All the major branded paneer products passed the tests. Brands like

• Amul Fresh Paneer
• Amul Malai Paneer
• Gowardhan
• Humpy A2
• ID High Protein
• Milky Mist

Desi Farms all checked out. The labels were accurate, and the paneer was real.

The Shocking News

Every single street vendor and local dairy shop paneer sample failed. Not one, not two—all of them. What they were selling wasn’t even real paneer. It was something called “analogue paneer.”

Now, before you panic or think “I told you so,” let’s break this down together.

To make real paneer, we need

• Pure milk
• Proper cooling (cold chain)
• Clean environment
• Storage safety

But analogue paneer needs only

• Palm oil
• Starch
• Chemical coagulants
• No milk or very little milk

So the difference?

When you’re buying paneer from a street shop at ₹200/kg versus ₹400/kg from a brand, there’s a reason for that price difference. Sometimes it’s just lower overhead. But sometimes, it’s because corners are being cut.

Fake paneer is way cheaper to produce — so some sellers choose profit over health.

Why Fake Paneer Is a Problem for Your Health

Many fake paneer samples also come from

• Dirty water
• Spoiled milk
• Poor-quality processing
• Lack of hygiene

This increases the risk of

• Food poisoning
• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Long-term inflammation

How to Identify Real vs Fake?

What is inside this PDF?

The booklet is divided into sections based on food categories. It explains how to use simple household items (like water, iodine, or a magnet) to spot “fake” or adulterated products.

Alternative Link (Online View)

If you prefer not to download the file, you can view the tests directly on the Eat Right India website here: https://eatrightindia.gov.in/dart/

Based on the test, it’s safer to choose:

• Buy packaged paneer from well-known brands
• Products with FSSAI license number
• Cold-stored paneer, never kept in open air
• Check expiry date, packaging, and seal.
• If possible — make paneer at home using milk, lemon, or vinegar.
  It takes less than 15 minutes.

This test isn’t meant to scare you — it’s meant to make you aware.

This Food Pharmer investigation isn’t just about paneer. It’s a reminder that we need to be conscious consumers. Food safety in India is improving, but there’s still a long way to go, especially in the unorganised sector.

Next time you’re buying paneer, take an extra minute. Please read the label, check the date, or ask your vendor when it was made. Your body will thank you for it.

You deserve to know what you are putting on your body. I believe that buying anything shouldn’t be a guessing game. My mission is to encourage people to make smarter, safer choices by decoding each ingredient.

Stay safe, eat smart, and keep questioning what’s on your plate. Share this post with your loved one 💖

Mehebub Alam Chowdhury

I’m Mehebub Alam Chowdhury, an M.Sc. Organic Chemistry student, and my mission with Decodepure is to simplify complex chemical ingredients in everyday products. With my knowledge of chemicals, I aim to help you make safer, healthier choices by breaking down product labels in an easy-to-understand way.