A social media post by a doctor has triggered an online discussion about the safety and storage of packaged dairy products after she raised concerns over two Milky Mist paneer packets that reportedly became swollen before their expiry dates. The doctor said both packets were refrigerated shortly after purchase, making the unexpected change in the packaging a matter of concern. The post quickly attracted attention online, following which Milky Mist responded and explained that it would investigate the matter.
Doctor Raises Concern Over Swollen Paneer Packets
The issue came into focus after Dr Sunita shared photographs of a puffed-up packet of Milky Mist High Protein Paneer on X. According to her post, the packet still had around two weeks before its expiry date, yet the packaging had visibly expanded.
Why is Milky Mist high protein paneer packet puffing up even though it’s still 2 weeks to expiry?
It was the same with the Milky mist normal paneer that I bought few days back. That puffed up too despite 10 days left to expiry.
I bought them from Ratnadeep and came home and… pic.twitter.com/tdlNQbhXIP
— Sunita Sayammagaru 🇮🇳🇬🇧 (@drsunita02) March 3, 2026
She later said that another regular Milky Mist paneer packet purchased a few days earlier had also developed similar swelling, even though it reportedly had around 10 days of shelf life remaining.
The unusual packaging condition raised questions about why the products had changed before reaching their printed expiry dates.
Doctor Says Paneer Was Refrigerated Soon After Purchase
According to the doctor’s account, both paneer packets were purchased from a supermarket and placed in the refrigerator within around 15 minutes of being bought.
She said the products were kept refrigerated after reaching home and pointed out that other products purchased during the same shopping trip, including cheese and tofu, did not show similar problems.
The doctor also mentioned that she had previously purchased Milky Mist paneer without experiencing such an issue, which made the incident particularly surprising for her.
Milky Mist Responds To The Complaint
After the post gained attention online, Milky Mist responded to the customer and apologised for the inconvenience.
The company asked the doctor to share her contact details through a direct message so that the matter could be investigated further.
The response indicated that the company was taking the complaint seriously and wanted to examine the specific products involved.
Company Shares Details Of The Paneer Batch
In a follow-up explanation, Milky Mist said the affected paneer belonged to a batch manufactured on February 9, 2026.
The company stated that approximately 6,100 kg of paneer from this production batch was packed into 200-gram packets.
According to Milky Mist, its internal investigation included examination of retained control samples from the same batch. The company said these checks did not reveal any abnormalities.
It also stated that it had not received similar complaints from other customers who purchased products belonging to the same batch.
Milky Mist Highlights Cold-Chain Conditions
Milky Mist also emphasised that its paneer is manufactured, stored and transported under refrigerated conditions throughout its supply chain.
However, the company pointed out that problems can potentially occur if the recommended storage temperature is not maintained after the product leaves its facilities.
This makes proper refrigeration important not only during manufacturing and transportation but also after consumers purchase the product and take it home.
Why Can A Paneer Packet Become Puffed?
A swollen or puffed food package can sometimes indicate gas formation inside the packaging. In perishable dairy products, such changes may be associated with microbial activity or problems with temperature control.
However, the appearance of a swollen packet alone does not establish exactly what caused the problem in a particular product.
That is why the specific product, batch, storage conditions and supply-chain history need to be examined before reaching a conclusion.
Should You Eat Puffed Paneer Before Expiry?
Consumers should not assume that a product is safe simply because the printed expiry date has not passed.
If a paneer packet appears unusually swollen, damaged, leaking or otherwise different from its normal condition, it is safer not to consume it. Consumers can keep the packaging and purchase details and contact the retailer or manufacturer for assistance.
The expiry date is only one part of food safety. Proper storage and packaging condition are also important, particularly for refrigerated dairy products.
What Consumers Should Check Before Buying Paneer
When purchasing packaged paneer, consumers should check the packaging carefully for unusual swelling, leakage, damage or broken seals.
It is also important to verify the expiry or use-by information and ensure that refrigerated products are kept under appropriate conditions after purchase.
After bringing paneer home, it should be refrigerated promptly according to the instructions provided on the packaging.
If the product develops an unusual appearance, smell or packaging condition, consumers should avoid taking unnecessary risks.
The Bigger Food Safety Discussion
The incident has generated a wider conversation about packaged dairy products and the importance of maintaining the cold chain.
While Milky Mist has said its internal checks did not identify abnormalities in the batch mentioned in the complaint, the episode shows why consumer complaints can be important for identifying potential issues.
For perishable foods, proper storage needs to be maintained from production to transportation, retail storage and finally the consumer’s refrigerator.
Conclusion
The Milky Mist paneer controversy began after a doctor reported that two packets had become puffed before their expiry dates despite being refrigerated soon after purchase. The company apologised, sought details from the customer and later said its internal examination of the relevant batch and retained samples did not reveal abnormalities. Milky Mist also highlighted the importance of maintaining the recommended refrigerated conditions throughout the supply chain.
For consumers, the key takeaway is simple: an expiry date alone does not guarantee that a perishable food product is suitable for consumption. If a paneer packet appears unusually swollen or damaged, it is better to avoid consuming it and contact the seller or manufacturer with the product and batch details.
FAQs
Is puffed paneer packaging a sign of spoilage?
A swollen packet can sometimes be associated with gas formation caused by microbial activity or temperature-related problems. However, the exact cause must be established by examining the product and its storage history.
Can paneer be unsafe before its expiry date?
Yes. The expiry date is not the only factor affecting food safety. Storage conditions, packaging integrity and temperature control are also important.
What did Milky Mist say about the reported paneer batch?
Milky Mist said the product was manufactured on February 9, 2026, and that its internal checks of retained control samples did not show abnormalities. The company also said it had not received similar complaints from other customers regarding that batch.
What should consumers do if a paneer packet is puffed?
Consumers should avoid consuming a visibly swollen or damaged packet and contact the retailer or manufacturer. Keeping the package, batch number, bill and photographs can help with an investigation.
Does refrigeration guarantee paneer will remain safe until expiry?
Not necessarily. Refrigeration helps maintain the product, but the recommended temperature must be maintained throughout storage, transportation and after purchase. Packaging damage or other issues can also affect product quality.