Zomato's B2B service, Zomato Hyperpure, faces scrutiny for supplying analogue paneer to restaurants, labeled fit for tikka and gravy paneer dishes. This has raised food safety concerns among consumers, despite clear labeling on the Hyperpure website.
Gurgaon resident Sumit Behal, an X user, sparked outrage on social media by highlighting the prevalence of "fake paneer" in Indian restaurants. Behal's concerns centered on Zomato's sale of analogue paneer to restaurants, which do not inform customers about the artificial cheese's use in their dishes. This lack of transparency potentially deceives customers into thinking they're consuming traditional dairy-based paneer.
Behal claimed restaurants deceive customers into believing they're eating healthy by serving paneer dishes instead of junk food. "This artificial paneer is readily available on Zomato's website for restaurants," Behal stated. His post led to an intense backlash against Zomato Hyperpure, with accusations of facilitating food adulteration by providing a cheaper, non-dairy paneer alternative.
What Does Analogue Paneer Mean?
Analogue paneer, also referred to as fake or synthetic paneer, is a cost-effective alternative to traditional paneer. Unlike authentic paneer, which is derived from fresh milk curdled with lemon juice or vinegar, analogue paneer is typically composed of vegetable fats, starches, and other non-dairy ingredients. Notably, a listing on Zomato Hyperpure describes analogue paneer as "made from Skimmed Milk and Vegetable Oil," with the notable substitution of vegetable fat for milk fat.
What Drives Restaurants to Use Analogue Paneer?
Restaurants prefer analogue paneer due to its significant cost savings. On Zomato Hyperpure, 1 kg of analogue paneer costs around ₹210, whereas real paneer retails for approximately ₹450 per kg. This price difference enables restaurants to increase profit margins, particularly when they don't disclose the use of fake paneer in their dishes.
What Are the Potential Health Risks Associated with Consuming Analogue Paneer?
Analogue paneer's widespread use is concerning for protein-seeking vegetarians, given its lower nutritional content and potential trans-fat presence via hydrogenated vegetable fats, which elevate the risk of cardiovascular issues, including heart disease, high cholesterol, and chronic inflammation.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)