India's food regulator seeks nationwide ban on non-dairy paneer analogues

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) posted a proposal to amend the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, aiming to forbid the manufacture and sale of non-dairy “analogue paneer” marketed as paneer. The draft specifies that products using vegetable oils, starches, plant proteins or other additives instead of milk fat cannot be labeled or promoted as paneer, and those already licensed under the “Analogue in Dairy Context” category must cease using the term.

FSSAI invited objections or suggestions for a 60-day period after the official gazette is released. The initiative follows bans already imposed in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. Food-delivery service Zomato has adopted a zero-tolerance stance, removing listings that contain analogue dairy. The regulator says the measure is intended to prevent consumer deception and safeguard public interest.