{
  "id": 5926017,
  "title": "FSSAI to tighten scrutiny, weighs central ban on non-dairy paneer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/fssai-to-tighten-scrutiny-weighs-central-ban-on-non-dairy-paneer",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-06T05:56:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ETHealthworld",
    "slug": "ethealthworld",
    "url": "https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/fssai-to-tighten-scrutiny-weighs-central-ban-on-non-dairy-paneer/133827553"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "India's food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), is intensifying its scrutiny of food products ahead of the festive season. The authority is considering a central ban on non-dairy paneer, also known as analogue paneer, following similar restrictions imposed by several states across the country.\n\nPunjani, FSSAI's CEO, revealed that the regulator is drafting a new regulation to prohibit the sale of high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt foods within 50 meters of schools nationwide. Additionally, quick-commerce platforms are being urged to display manufacturing and expiry dates more prominently on their apps.\n\nAnalogue paneer, a non-dairy alternative to traditional paneer, raises concerns due to its potential nutritional deficiencies and lack of clear labeling. Made with vegetable oil, vegetable fat, or other non-dairy ingredients, this product may resemble dairy paneer in appearance and taste but lacks its nutritional value.\n\nFSSAI is also addressing recent enforcement actions against ecommerce and quick-commerce companies for failing to display crucial information such as manufacturing and expiry dates on their platforms. Punhani emphasized the regulator's efforts to promote preventive health measures by encouraging healthier food choices before diet-related illnesses become prevalent.\n\nThe proposed restrictions around schools are part of FSSAI's broader Eat Right India initiative, which aims to promote safer and more nutritious diets by reducing excessive consumption of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. By making healthy food an easy, informed, and affordable choice, the regulator hopes to transform food habits before diet-related illnesses take hold.",
  "summary": "Rajit Punhani, chief executive officer of FSSAI, said the authority was working on a central regulation on analogue paneer following bans by several states and enforcement action across the country.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}