Zomato recently came under fire when a Gurugram-based man claimed that the company was selling “fake cheese” to restaurants through its B2B platform Zomato HyperPure.

On the website, the product was labeled “Analog Paneer” which is “suitable for tikka and gravy paneer dishes.”

What is analog cheese?

Paneer, known as a soft Indian cheese and known for its versatility in various dishes like curries and desserts, is now bearing the brunt of adulteration.

This year, in April, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) found 47 paneer and khoya products contaminated in Noida. In May, officials had seized 1,300 kg of fake cheese from two diaries in Nabha subdivision of Patiala district.

The market for imitation cheese, also called synthetic cheese or analog cheese, is gaining traction especially because it costs about half that of dairy-made cheese. Needless to say, it looks and tastes exactly like normal paneer.

Analog cheese or imitation cheese is made from cheap or poor quality vegetable oil and acts as a substitute for traditional cheese.

Unlike real cheese, which is made from freshly milked milk with vinegar or lemon juice, analog cheese contains emulsifiers, vegetable oils, starch, and other additives.

“Regular cheese is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and healthy fats. In contrast, analog cheese is lower in protein and often contains high levels of unhealthy fats, especially trans fats or saturated fats,” says Charu Dua. , said the chief clinical leader. Nutritionist, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.

According to FSSAI, it is not illegal to sell analog cheese in India, but there is a penalty for not mentioning or labeling analog cheese as “non-dairy”.

What are the health risks of analog cheese?

Since analog cheese does not contain the nutrients present in milk, it causes various health hazards. Analog milk made from cheap vegetable oil and starch contains trans fat, considered the worst type of fat.

These are not dietary fats, and they increase the body’s cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease.

Trans fats cause inflammation, which is a major factor in the development of chronic diseases including diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Charu Dua said, “Regular consumption of trans fats is linked to insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes. It disrupts the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, causing blood sugar levels to remain consistently high ”

Nutritionist and dietitian Neelanjana Singh spoke about the growing concern over “analog cheese”, products designed to mimic the look and taste of real cheese.

“Although textures and flavors vary, people familiar with dairy-based cheese can spot the counterfeit version. The health risks are significant, as the vegetable oils used, often hydrogenated and containing trans fats, are harmful to the body. These are of poor quality and can cause heart problems, said Neelanjana Singh.

Analog cheese also causes digestive problems like bloating and indigestion. It may also result in vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea.

How to identify fake cheese?

Natural cheese made from the process of curdling milk has a hard texture with a milky odor. According to Neelanjana Singh, people who are familiar with eating fresh paneer will be able to identify the analog paneer by examining its texture and taste.

The easiest way to identify analog cheese is to check the ingredients list. FSSAI mandates that products using non-dairy substitutes must clearly mention words like “analogue” or “imitation” on the packaging.

While regular cheese turns brown when heated, synthetic cheese crumbles and melts quickly.

According to FSSAI, iodine test can also help in identifying fake cheese. – Take a pan and boil cheese in it. Add a few drops of iodine tincture to boiled cheese. If it turns blue then it is artificial.

Another trick to identify fake is to test toor dal. – Let the boiled paneer cool in water. Add some toor dal in water and leave it for 10 minutes.

If the water turns light red then the cheese may be contaminated. If there is no change in color, you can safely enjoy your cheese.

Analog cheese must meet certain safety standards for ingredients, including the quality of vegetable oils used and permissible levels of trans fats. Charu Dua said failure to adhere to these standards could result in fines or a ban on the sale of such products.

At home, experts recommend making fresh cheese or purchasing high-quality cheese for a nutritious meal.