FSSAI moves to ban analogue paneer, orders products to drop paneer label

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has moved to ban the use of the term "paneer" for analogue products made without milk-derived ingredients, proposing that such products drop "paneer" from their nomenclature, labelling and marketing.

The move comes amid growing regulatory scrutiny of non-dairy paneer substitutes and follows the recent crackdown on their manufacture and sale, aimed at preventing consumers from being misled about the nature and composition of the food they are buying.

"The amendment is proposed in the following regulation to restrict manufacturing and sale of analogue product as paneer so as to prevent misleading of consumers regarding the nature and composition of the product," the notification said.

"Products already licenced or registered under the 'Analogue in Dairy Context' category shall discontinue the use of the term "paneer" in their nomenclature, labelling or marketing," it added.

The draft Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2026, was notified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on September 22.

The notification proposes adding "paneer made of constituents not derived from milk" to the list of substances whose sale is prohibited under the relevant 2011 regulations.

The proposal has been issued for public consultation. FSSAI has said objections and suggestions can be submitted within 60 days from the date copies of the notification are made available in the Gazette. The authority will consider the representations before finalising the amendment.

Analogue paneer is generally formulated using non-dairy fats or oils, starches and other ingredients to replicate the appearance and texture of conventional paneer.

The proposed national amendment focuses on how such products are described and presented to consumers, particularly where the word "paneer" could create the impression that the product is made from milk.CRACKDOWN ON ANALOGUE PANEER

The move comes against the backdrop of an intensified crackdown on analogue and non-dairy paneer in Maharashtra. On July 30, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration prohibited the manufacture, processing, packing, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer across the state.

Apart from the crackdown on the manufacture, sale and serving of analogue paneer in several parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Thane, and Pune, similar action was also taken in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand among others.

With the 60-day consultation period now underway, FSSAI is expected to examine stakeholder submissions before deciding on the final regulatory changes.

If notified in their proposed form, products in the analogue category would have to adopt nomenclature and labelling that clearly distinguish them from milk-derived paneer.- Ends