look news india
A very big and important news regarding food security and public health has come out from the state of Madhya Pradesh, which is called the heart of the country. Dr. Mohan Yadav government of the state has completely banned the production, storage, transportation, sale and all types of use of ‘Analogue Paneer’ while tightening the noose on adulterants. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has given instructions in clear words that any artificial or non-standard food product which plays with the health of the people of the state will not be tolerated. After this tough decision, Madhya Pradesh has become the fourth state in the country after Maharashtra, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh which has legally banned this adulterated and health-harmful product. This historic step of the government aims to promote traditional and pure dairy products in the state and protect the interests of milk producers and farmers.
What is ‘Analog Paneer’ and how is this product prepared?
In layman’s terms, a large part of what people easily buy as cheese is actually not made from milk. ‘Analog cheese’ or imitation cheese is an artificial food item that is made from a mixture of vegetable oils (vegetable fats such as palm oil or soy oil), starch, synthetic proteins and other harmful chemicals instead of being prepared from pure milk like traditional cheese. Since cheap palm oil and other chemicals are used instead of expensive milk in making it, its cost is very low. This fake cheese is available in the market at a much lower price than natural cheese, due to which people associated with hotels, restaurants, dhabas and catering business use it indiscriminately in order to earn more profits. It is very difficult for the common consumer to identify whether the cheese being served in their plate is made from real milk or a dangerous alternative prepared with the help of chemicals and palm oil.
The main reason and health hazards behind this strict step of Madhya Pradesh government
During the high-level meeting called by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, issues of food security and public health were seriously discussed. According to experts and health reports, the saturated fats and refined oils used in analog cheese are not at all friendly for the intestines. Its excessive consumption significantly increases the risk of serious problems related to the digestive system, stomach upset, cholesterol imbalance and heart related diseases in the long run. Additionally, the purpose for which people feed cheese to their children and families—that is, high-quality natural protein—is not achieved by this counterfeit product. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had also earlier written a letter to all the states and strongly recommended to ban this poisonous and health hazardous product, after which the government has taken this quick and strict step.
Big strategy to stop dumping in MP after ban by neighboring states
Minister of State for Public Health and Medical Education, Narendra Shivaji Patel, while clarifying the background of this decision, said that when neighboring states like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh took strict restrictive action against analog cheese, there was a deep fear that the leftover or banned goods from those states could be brought to Madhya Pradesh and dumped. To prevent Madhya Pradesh from becoming a hub of adulterated and fake food items, it was extremely important that strict legal orders were issued in time. According to Food Safety Department data, around 9,000 to 12,000 quintals of analog cheese was consumed every month in Madhya Pradesh alone, which was mainly supplied to the commercial sector. From this huge figure, it can be estimated on what scale this anti-health business was spread in the markets of the state.
Government’s vision to promote natural dairy products and milk production
With this ban, Mohan government has made it clear that Madhya Pradesh will now establish a strong dairy identity. The Chief Minister said that the main aim of the state government is to rapidly increase milk production in the state and strengthen the rural economy. When pure and natural milk is available in abundance in the market, pure cheese and other milk products made through traditional methods will automatically get a boost. The government believes that promoting cheap and inferior alternatives not only harms local milk producing farmers but also puts the health of consumers at stake. The government is working on many new schemes to economically empower the animal husbandry and dairy sector, so that pure dairy products can be accessible to every corner of the state.
Swift action against adulterants: Administration started raids and seizures
As soon as the government orders came out, the Food Safety Department and the district administration have come into action mode. Surprise checks have been started in dairy plants, cold storage and manufacturing units located from the capital Bhopal to the commercial capital Indore and other major cities. In the latest administrative action, a large industrial unit located in Palda area of Indore was raided and a huge quantity of suspicious and low-fat cheese was seized. Food safety officials have clarified that if any analogue cheese is now found being manufactured or stored in any part of the state, the license of the concerned factory will be immediately canceled and heavy fines as well as criminal cases will be filed against the culprits. This campaign is being given a more comprehensive form under the ‘War for Pure’ campaign.
Conclusion: A message to the general public and a historic step towards food security
This ban imposed on analog cheese by the Madhya Pradesh government is proof that the health and welfare of the general public is the top priority of the administration. This decision will not only curb the black business of adulteration, but will also ensure people’s right to consume pure, nutritious and naturally prepared dairy products in their diet. However, along with law and administrative raids, it is also necessary that common citizens and hotel-restaurant operators also be aware of food safety and completely reject any kind of adulterated option. This policy decision will prove to be a milestone in establishing Madhya Pradesh as a healthy, safe and self-reliant dairy hub in the times to come.