The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced a proposal to implement a national ban on the sale and marketing of non-dairy products branded as “paneer.” This initiative aims to prevent consumer deception and ensure accurate food labelling. The proposed amendment, titled the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2026, will prohibit the manufacturing and sale of paneer that is not derived from milk. Under this proposal, products currently registered under the ‘Analogue in Dairy Context’ category will no longer be permitted to utilise the term “paneer” in any form.

Health and Labelling Concerns

Analogue paneer is engineered to mimic the taste, texture, and appearance of traditional paneer but often incorporates vegetable oils, starches, emulsifiers, and other ingredients that do not contain dairy components. This method of production generally reduces costs, making it appealing to food manufacturers, especially for bulk usage. Concerns have emerged regarding consumers being sold these analogue products as genuine dairy paneer without proper labelling, thereby limiting their ability to make informed dietary choices based on ingredient quality and nutritional content.

Traditional paneer is known for its rich nutritional profile, containing protein and fat derived from milk. In contrast, the nutritional components of an analogue paneer can vary significantly, often resulting in lower milk protein content and higher levels of vegetable fat or starch. Given these differences, the health implications of consuming analogue products depend largely on their specific ingredients and overall formulation, although the term “analogue” alone does not imply that these products are inherently harmful.

The primary regulatory concern surrounding analogue paneer revolves around compliance with established food standards and the honesty of product labelling. The ongoing discussions highlight the need for clearer guidelines to inform consumers and protect their rights.

States Lead Crackdown on Analogue Paneer

In response to increasing concerns regarding analogue paneer, Maharashtra took significant action in July 2023, implementing a one-year ban on the manufacture, storage, transport, distribution, and sale of these products. The state has also warned that violations could lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment and substantial fines. Recent enforcement has resulted in actions against businesses mislabelling analogue cheese as genuine paneer, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.

Following Maharashtra’s lead, Gujarat introduced a statewide ban in August 2023, which encompasses the production, storage, transport, distribution, and sale of analogue paneer, cheese, and butter. This decision was prompted by food safety inspections and laboratory tests that revealed products masquerading as dairy items while failing to meet predefined quality standards.

The FSSAI’s draft amendment is intended to establish a consistent national framework for regulating the issue, aiming to standardise enforcement rather than relying solely on state-level directives. This uniform approach is expected to facilitate better monitoring and compliance across the country.

Public Engagement and Next Steps

As the proposal remains in its draft phase, the FSSAI has welcomed feedback from stakeholders and members of the public regarding the regulations. This engagement is crucial for refining the proposed amendments and addressing various perspectives involved in the dairy and food sectors. The focus is on ensuring that consumers are properly informed about the products they purchase while upholding food safety and quality standards throughout India.

The introduction of this amendment proposal marks a significant step toward addressing the complexities of food labelling and consumer rights, ensuring that the integrity of dairy products is preserved in the marketplace. As discussions continue, the outcome may reshape the dairy industry landscape in India.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share