India bans sale of analogue paneer as genuine dairy

INDIA – The Himachal Pradesh government has imposed a one-year ban on the production, storage, supply and sale of non-dairy “analogue paneer” when it is marketed or presented as genuine dairy paneer across the state.

The move follows inspections and laboratory testing conducted by the state Food Safety Department, which reportedly identified cases involving adulteration, misleading labelling and inadequate product traceability.

According to officials, some suppliers were using vegetable oils and other non-dairy fats in place of milk fat to manufacture paneer-like products.

The concern arose when these products were subsequently sold or represented to consumers as conventional dairy paneer.

Authorities also identified instances where products were supplied without appropriate labels, purchase bills or documentation establishing their source.

The government has therefore directed food businesses not to manufacture, transport, store or sell products containing non-milk fats under the name “paneer” unless they meet applicable standards and are clearly identified as non-dairy alternatives.

Restaurants, hotels, cloud kitchens, hostels, dhabas and catering businesses are also prohibited from using synthetic or analogue paneer in dishes that are described simply as paneer on their menus.

Where businesses use a non-dairy alternative, consumers must be clearly informed about the nature of the product.

This provision is intended to prevent consumers from unknowingly purchasing food marketed as paneer when the underlying ingredient is a non-dairy substitute.

The order also places emphasis on documentation and traceability throughout the supply chain.

Food businesses are required to maintain appropriate purchase invoices, batch information and product labels in accordance with food safety regulations.

These records can help authorities identify where products originated and trace potentially non-compliant products through the distribution chain.

The Himachal Pradesh government has clarified that the order does not constitute a blanket ban on all non-dairy paneer alternatives.

Products that meet applicable standards can continue to be manufactured and sold, provided they are correctly labelled and are not represented to consumers as genuine dairy paneer.

The distinction is therefore between a compliant, properly identified alternative and a product that uses non-milk fats but is marketed as conventional paneer.

To receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa, the Middle East and around the world, SUBSCRIBE HERE