Gauri Khan’s high-end restaurant, Torii, located in Mumbai, has responded to allegations regarding the use of adulterated paneer, asserting that these claims are baseless and stem from a misunderstanding of food chemistry.
The controversy began when a YouTuber shared a video on social media, showcasing his visits to various celebrity-owned restaurants in Mumbai to assess the quality of paneer using an iodine tincture. Among the establishments featured were Virat Kohli’s One8 Commune, Shilpa Shetty’s Bastian, and Bobby Deol’s Someplace Else.
During his visits, the YouTuber tested paneer samples by applying iodine to check for any color changes, which are typically indicative of starch presence. While no reactions were observed at the other restaurants, a dish at Torii darkened upon exposure to iodine.
In the video, the YouTuber remarked, “Shah Rukh Khan ke restaurant mein paneer nakli tha. Ye dekh ke mere toh hosh udd gaye the (Shah Rukh Khan’s restaurant is selling fake paneer.)!” In response, Torii, co-owned by interior designer Gauri Khan, released a statement elucidating the scientific basis for the observed reaction.
“The iodine test indicates the presence of starch, not the authenticity of the paneer. Given that the dish includes soy-based components, this reaction is anticipated. We uphold the purity of our paneer and the quality of our ingredients at Torii,” the restaurant stated in the comments section of the viral video.
