Concern over food safety measures after spurious khoya seized in city

In a shocking revelation, the seizure of over 1,000 kilograms of substandard khoya from a bus arriving from Rajasthan, has worried residents, highlighting at the same time the alarming scale of adulterated milk products flooding the city’s sweet markets.

The record-breaking seizure has left food lovers stunned, as khoya is an ingredient used to make various traditional sweets. The discovery also raises concerns about the effectiveness of food safety measures, as this is not the first time that substandard khoya has been seized.

According to Health Department sources, the seized khoya was prepared by mixing milk powder with refined oil, a cheap and easy alternative to traditional methods. Genuine khoya production requires heating milk for hours to evaporate water, necessitating significant resources and manpower.

“The ease of mixing milk powder with oil makes it an attractive option for unscrupulous manufacturers,” said a Health Department official.

Local market prices for substandard khoya range from Rs 350 per kilogram, significantly lower than genuine khoya. Sweet shop owners often opt for this cheaper alternative, compromising consumer health.

“We will continue to crack down on adulterated food products,” said Civil Surgeon Dr Kirandeep Kaur, adding that consumers deserve quality food, and the department is committed to ensuring the same. “This is disturbing. We trust sweet shops with our health, it’s time for stricter regulations,” said Ramesh Kumar, a local resident.

As the investigation unfolds, concerns linger over the extent of substandard khoya in circulation and the effectiveness of food safety measures. The residents stated that the administration should make all sweet makers reveal their sources for supply of khoya and initiate further investigation into their supply chains and manufacturers.

“There should be an increased inspection of sweet shops and dairy products. People these days do not have any means to know if the food they are buying is of good quality and only the administration can help them,” said another resident Balkar Singh.