The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a nationwide ban on the manufacture and sale of products marketed as analogue paneer.
Under the proposed changes, products that are currently licensed or registered under the ‘Analogue in Dairy Context’ category would no longer be allowed to use the word ‘Paneer’ in their product names, labels or marketing materials.
Proposed Changes to Food Safety Regulations
FSSAI has proposed amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, specifically concerning analogue paneer.
The proposed regulatory changes are aimed at restricting the production and sale of analogue products that could be confused with genuine paneer.
Why FSSAI Wants to Restrict the Use of ‘Paneer’
According to the food regulator, the proposed changes are intended to prevent consumers from being misled about the nature and composition of these products.
The move would require products falling under the analogue category to be identified without using ‘Paneer’ in their nomenclature, labelling or marketing. This would create a clearer distinction between genuine paneer and products made using alternative ingredients.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the proposal and information available from FSSAI regarding the suggested regulatory changes. The provisions may be modified before any final notification or implementation. Readers should refer to official FSSAI notifications for the latest and final position.