Patiala, Dec. 14 -- The next time when you crave for a sumptuous paneer tikka as you step out of your house, think twice. Punjab is currently grappling with a massive paneer adulteration crisis, a fact revealed by the Centre in Parliament.

According to the Union ministry of health and family welfare, 47% of paneer and other milk product samples have failed to meet quality standards in Punjab. Of the 531 samples analysed in 2024-25, 255 were either adulterated or failed quality tests, the ministry informed the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing winter session of Parliament.

Starch and sucrose were among the most common adulterants that were detected in paneer. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has already flagged panee...