Iodine test ≠ Fake paneer

Social media’s “Paneer Police” are going viral with the iodine test — claiming to expose fake paneer.

Transcript

00:00You will hear the name of Delhi Police, Mumbai Police, but today you will see a police in Reels

00:05that is called Paneer Police.

00:08If it's dark, then it's dark paneer.

00:10If it's not, then it's real paneer.

00:11That's Dr. Pulkit calling out the social media's latest obsession.

00:15Social media creators using a so-called iodine test to catch fake paneer.

00:20One such sting by an influencer at Gauri Khan's Mumbai restaurant showed the paneer turning black.

00:25The video got more than 7 million views before it was taken down.

00:28But what's the paneer really fake?

00:45What makes the iodine test even more pointless is

00:48Analog paneer may starch hota hini hai.

00:50So, when you test analog paneer, then it doesn't change.

00:54The synthetic or analog paneer is a processed look-alike made with oil, starch and additives

00:59that mimics the look, texture and taste of traditional paneer.

01:02But then how does one tell the real from the fake?

01:05First is the hot water test.

01:07While the real paneer stays intact, the fake paneer starts melting.

01:10Second is the taste and the smell test.

01:13Real paneer thoda sa krumbly hota hai aur usmeh dood ki bhi smel hoti.

01:16Analog paneer fom hota hai, rabat jasa hota hai aur iski smel bhi thodi chemical jasi hoti.

01:21Third is the oil test.

01:23While the original paneer would release moisture.

01:25Agar aap uspe analog paneer rakho ghe,

01:27to usmeh se oil nikalna shurru ho jayega aur zyadha hi oil nikleega.

01:30Aur yye sara palm oil hota hai.

01:32Beyond basic tests, chromatographic and proximate analysis

01:35can 100% certify the authenticity of paneer.

01:38Until mid-April 2025, authorities had confiscated

01:41sizable quantities of fake paneer,

01:43including 1400 kgs in Pune,

01:461300 kg in Patiala and 600 kg in Hyderabad.

01:49With India's paneer market valued at 648 billion rupees in 2024,

01:54what do you think is the solution to India's fake paneer problem?

01:57Let us know in the comments below.