Suspecting adulteration, health officials seize 56 kg of cheese

Officials with the seized cheese in Kapurthala. Tribune photo

Kapurthala, January 15

Suspecting adulteration, officials of the Health Department on Wednesday seized 56 kg of cheese.

According to information, the cheese was being transported in a vehicle and was prepared at Bansal Dairy, Ajit Nagar, Bathinda. Further, it was being supplied by Sukhpreet Singh of Muktsar, who is the salesman of the dairy. The vehicle was on its way to Kala Sanghia, said Assistant Commissioner Food Harjot Pal Singh and Food Safety Officer, Kapurthala, Satnam Singh.

The cheese was packed in 10 polythene bags each containing about 5 kg. It was lying in two plastic ice boxes, which was kept in the vehicle. The officials also collected a sample of the cheese, which has been sent for a lab test.

According to the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, cheese should contain minimum milk fat, minimum 50 per cent of the dry matter and maximum 60 per cent moisture.

Officials said while cheese was available in the market for Rs300 per kg, it could be brought from other districts for Rs140-150 per kg. Such cheese is usually prepared from skimmed milk powder and starch. The fat content of such cheese is much less. It used in functions and at marriage palaces.

“Till the report of State Food Laboratory, Kharar, is received, the entire stock of cheese has been seized and kept in controlled temperature conditions,” said the officials.