Punjab bans analogue paneer for 1 year

The government of Punjab has enacted a one-year ban on the production, storage, transport, distribution, and sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer marketed under the name paneer, according to an official directive from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Punjab. The Commissioner of Food Safety in Punjab issued Prohibition Order No. Food(Pb)/2026/1406 on August 20, 2026, under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, to protect public health.

This was followed by a compliance letter on August 25, 2026, urging all Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers to strictly enforce the prohibition.

The order reveals that various Food Business Operators (FBOs) have been found to produce a paneer-like product using vegetable oil or fat, rather than milk, and to market or sell it as paneer, thereby misleading consumers. This practice contravenes Regulation 2.1.16 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, which mandates that chhana and paneer must be made from milk or milk products.

Analogous paneer made with vegetable fat or oil does not conform to this standard and is therefore not legally allowed for sale as paneer.

Authorities have instructed Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers to carry out frequent and unexpected inspections of dairy establishments, paneer manufacturing facilities, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, cold storage facilities, and warehouses. They are also directed to verify transport records and source records of paneer used by hotels, restaurants, dhabas, catering services, institutional kitchens, and food-service establishments.

Violations of this prohibition will result in immediate legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its associated regulations. Officials emphasized the urgency of the matter, considering the prevalence of complaints about adulterated or synthetic paneer sold in markets during festive and wedding seasons.