Ghaziabad, Oct 13 : Police and the health department have recovered over 1,000 quintals of fake ricotta cheese in Modinagar locality here early Tuesday morning, officials said.

Over two dozen people, who were carrying the cheese in five mini-trucks, were also arrested.

"The fake cheese, manufactured in Meerut and Muzzafarnagar districts, was to be supplied in New Delhi and the NCR. During interrogation, the accused admitted supplying similar consignments earlier as well," Superintendent of Police (rural) K. K. Asthana told IANS.

Police teams have also been sent to Meerut and Muzzafarnagar to nab those involved in manufacturing the fake cheese, he added.

"The arrested people have confessed to using chemicals, edible oil and other adulterated edible items in manufacturing the cheese. We have also got the names of the people who used to buy fake cheese from them and raids will be conducted to nab them," Asthana added.

Commenting on the huge recovery, Akhil Kumar, senior superintendent of police (Ghaziabad), said: "We have arrested many people and have recovered small quantities of fake cheese in the past but this is the largest recovery this year before a festival. Food inspectors and police teams have been deputed on all the entry points of the district to check the menace."

Ricotta, which means 'recooked', is an Italian sheep or cow milk whey cheese. (IANS)