Nagpur: In a major crackdown on food adulteration, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has imposed a statewide one-year ban on the manufacture, sale, storage, transport, distribution and use of analogue (non-dairy) paneer, citing widespread adulteration, consumer deception and potential public health risks.
The prohibition, which came into immediate effect following its publication in the Official Gazette on July 30, was issued by Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
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The order prohibits the manufacture, processing, preparation, packing, storage, transportation, distribution, wholesale and retail sale of analogue paneer across Maharashtra. It also bars businesses from offering or displaying such products for sale.
The stringent action follows an extensive statewide surveillance drive conducted between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, during which the FDA analysed 308 samples of paneer and dairy analogue products.
The findings revealed widespread violations. A total of 109 samples (35.4%) failed to meet prescribed standards, including 79 substandard and 30 unsafe samples.
Laboratory tests detected the substitution of milk fat with vegetable oils, vegetable fats and other non-milk ingredients in a significant number of samples, raising serious concerns over food quality and consumer safety.
According to the FDA, analogue paneer closely resembles traditional paneer but contains milk fat or milk solids that have been wholly or partially replaced with vegetable fats or other non-dairy ingredients.
The regulator noted that such products were frequently sold or served as genuine paneer without informing consumers, amounting to misleading trade practices and denying buyers the opportunity to make informed choices.
The order also pointed out that loose analogue paneer was often transported and sold without proper packaging, mandatory labels, invoices or traceability records, making enforcement and source verification extremely difficult.
The ban extends beyond manufacturers and traders to cover hotels, restaurants, caterers, eateries and cloud kitchens, all of which have been prohibited from using or serving analogue paneer during the prohibition period.
The FDA said the move is intended to prevent consumers from unknowingly being served imitation products in place of genuine dairy paneer.
The decision was also based on recommendations of the Central Advisory Committee under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The committee observed that analogue paneer currently lacks clearly defined quality standards, creating regulatory loopholes that facilitate adulteration and make enforcement difficult.
It further noted that such products do not provide the same nutritional value as authentic paneer, particularly for vegetarians who depend on paneer as a significant source of dietary protein.
Strict action against violators
The FDA has warned that anyone found violating the ban will face action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, including seizure and destruction of prohibited products, besides other statutory penalties.
However, the prohibition does not apply to standardised food products such as processed cheese, frozen desserts and mixed-fat spreads, which are governed under separate food safety standards.
The ban will remain in force for one year, unless modified, withdrawn or extended by the State Government in accordance with law.
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