Karnataka bans sale of analogue paneer under the name ‘paneer’ for one year

The Karnataka government has enacted a one-year ban on the sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer marketed as "paneer," in an effort to safeguard public health and consumer interests. The decision, announced on August 17 through a Gazette Notification, was issued by the Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department under specific legal provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The prohibition encompasses manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, wholesale, retail sale, display, and supply of these products. A critical distinction is made between "genuine paneer" and "dairy analogue products." Paneer is classified as a standardized milk product, necessitating the presence of milk fat, which cannot be substituted with vegetable oil, vegetable fat, or other non-dairy ingredients in products labeled as paneer.

The ban targets products lacking specific quality standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Standardized items such as frozen desserts, processed cheese, and mixed fat spreads remain unaffected. The department highlighted the challenge of enforcing regulations on these analogue products without clear standards, as consumers may be misled into believing they are purchasing genuine paneer.

Proper labeling requirements stipulate that any product containing non-dairy ingredients must clearly disclose its composition. Failure to adhere to these labeling standards could constitute misbranding. Despite testing conducted in Karnataka, no adulteration with vegetable oil, vegetable fat, or other dairy ingredients was detected in samples of paneer.

This ban serves as a preventive measure, emphasizing the importance of public health and consumer protection. By invoking the authority of the State Food Safety Commissioner under Section 30(2)(a) of the Act, the government is empowered to enforce this prohibition for up to one year.