To safeguard product integrity, OMFED enforces a mandatory three-tier quality testing protocol across its entire supply chain. Raw milk undergoes initial fat and solids-not-fat (SNF) screening upon procurement from dairy farmers at village collection points, followed by comprehensive laboratory analysis at industrial processing facilities, and a final quality audit before packaging and retail dispatch. Addressing questions regarding milk solids, Mallik clarified that processing strictly adheres to official food standards without compromising nutritional composition or food safety.

The state cooperative is also scaling processing operations to prevent market deficits during the festive season. While OMFED produces approximately one tonne of paneer per day during baseline periods, daily output is routinely ramped up to nearly three tonnes during festive spikes. Supported by a daily raw milk procurement volume ranging between 5.5 lakh and 8 lakh litres, the minister confirmed that processing plants possess ample capacity to expand production further if loose paneer shortages emerge across urban centers.

The government’s reassurance comes in response to extensive food safety raids executed by municipal authorities and enforcement teams across Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Pahala sweet trading belts. Acting under directives from Food Safety Commissioner Poma Tudu, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) recently intercepted transport vehicles in Niali and seized roughly 70 quintals of suspected adulterated paneer valued at ₹17 lakh, which was subsequently destroyed at disposal yards after testing positive for non-dairy thickeners like starch and refined flour.