India, May 28 -- Intensifying checks on food adulteration amid rising summer health concerns, the food safety department on Wednesday destroyed nearly 18kg of suspected adulterated paneer during a surprise inspection drive at the city's vegetable market.

Teams also inspected fruit ripening centres to check the illegal use of chemicals in mangoes, bananas and papayas.

The drive was conducted under the supervision of district health officer Dr Ashish Chawla, with food safety teams inspecting paneer sold at roadside stalls, carts and temporary setups across the market.

Officials said a paneer sample was collected and sent to a government laboratory after it was suspected to be adulterated and below prescribed quality standards.Officials s...