The prohibition has been imposed as a preventive measure in the interest of public health and consumer protection.
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The State government has prohibited the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer being sold as “paneer” across the State for one year, citing the need to protect public health and consumer interests.A Gazette Notification to this effect was issued on August 17 by the Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department under Sections 30(2)(a), 18 and 29 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The prohibition covers the manufacture, processing, packing, storage, transportation, wholesale and retail sale, display and supply of such products.The notification makes a distinction between “genuine paneer” and “dairy analogue products.” Under the food safety regulations, paneer is a standardised milk product, and milk fat is an essential constituent. The use of vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other non-dairy ingredients in place of milk fat or milk solids is not permitted in a product sold as paneer.The notification states that the ban is aimed at products for which specific quality standards have not been prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). It does not cover separately standardised products such as frozen desserts, processed cheese and mixed fat spread, which are governed by their own standards.Consumer protectionThe department said the absence of specific standards for some dairy analogue products had made enforcement difficult and created the possibility of such products being sold as genuine paneer, potentially misleading consumers. The notification stated that consumers should not be expected to distinguish such products on their own.The order also points to labelling requirements under which products containing non-dairy ingredients must clearly declare their composition. Representing such a product as paneer could amount to misbranding under the applicable food safety provisions.Preventive measureImportantly, the department’s notification stated that testing of several paneer samples in Karnataka had not found adulteration with vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other dairy ingredients. The prohibition has been imposed as a preventive measure in the interest of public health and consumer protection.The notification invokes the power of the State Food Safety Commissioner under Section 30(2)(a) of the Act to prohibit the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of a food article across the State for up to one year where such action is considered necessary in the interest of public health.What is analogue paneer?The order defines analogue or non-dairy paneer as a paneer-like product in which milk fat or milk solids have been wholly or partly replaced by vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other non-dairy ingredients. Such products cannot be named, marketed or represented to consumers as “paneer.” Published - August 22, 2026 08:07 pm IST
