Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration has prohibited the manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer being marketed as paneer across the state.
The prohibition has been issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with the department stating that the measure is aimed at protecting public health and preventing non-dairy products from being sold or represented as standardised paneer.
According to the notification cited by the department, the prohibition was to remain in force until August 17, 2026. As that date has now passed, the current status or any extension of the order would need to be confirmed with the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration.
What is analogue paneer?
Analogue paneer is a factory-made imitation of paneer that does not contain the natural dairy ingredients expected in standardised paneer.
Such products can be manufactured using vegetable oils, including palm oil, along with industrial starches and other non-dairy ingredients. They are designed to resemble paneer in appearance, texture or use, particularly when incorporated into prepared food.
The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration has made it clear that products containing such non-dairy ingredients cannot be represented or sold as paneer when they do not meet the prescribed standards for the dairy product.
The action is particularly relevant to restaurants, caterers, food manufacturers, hotels and other food business operators that use paneer as an ingredient.
Paneer is a standardised milk product
Under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, paneer is a standardised milk-based food product.
The prescribed standards do not allow milk fat in paneer to be replaced with vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other non-dairy ingredients.
The distinction is important because consumers purchasing a product labelled as paneer would ordinarily expect it to meet the regulatory definition of the dairy product.
The department’s action seeks to ensure that products that do not meet those standards are not stored, supplied, transported or sold under the name of paneer.
FDA says paneer samples showed no such adulteration
The department said it had tested several paneer samples during its inspections.
According to the FDA, the samples tested did not show adulteration involving vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other non-dairy ingredients.
Despite this, the department said the prohibition was being imposed in the interest of public health and to prevent analogue or non-dairy products from being stored, supplied, sold or transported as paneer.
The action therefore relates not only to laboratory findings but also to the manner in which non-dairy products are represented and marketed to consumers.
Food businesses directed to comply
The FDA has directed food business operators not to use, store, supply or sell analogue or non-dairy paneer for preparing or manufacturing any food product.
This means businesses using paneer in their kitchens or manufacturing processes have been asked to ensure that the ingredient they purchase meets the applicable food safety standards.
The directive could affect a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, hotels, caterers, food manufacturers and commercial kitchens.
Food business operators are expected to maintain appropriate records and source ingredients from legitimate suppliers to demonstrate compliance with food safety requirements.
The department said it would take necessary measures across Karnataka to enforce the order and advised food business operators to comply with its provisions.
Certain products excluded from prohibition
The prohibition does not apply to standardised food products that are regulated under separate food safety standards.
These include products such as frozen desserts, processed cheese and milk fat spread.
The distinction means that a product containing non-dairy ingredients is not automatically prohibited merely because it is not traditional paneer. Products that are separately recognised and regulated under the relevant Food Safety and Standards Authority of India standards can continue to be manufactured and sold subject to those standards.
The Karnataka FDA’s concern is specifically with analogue or non-dairy products being marketed or represented as paneer.
Focus on consumer protection
Food labelling and product identity are important aspects of consumer protection. When consumers purchase paneer, they are entitled to expect the product to comply with the applicable definition and standards.
The Karnataka order is intended to prevent confusion between genuine dairy paneer and products manufactured using vegetable fats or other non-dairy ingredients.
For food businesses, the directive also underlines the importance of checking product labels, supplier information and compliance documentation before purchasing paneer or using it in prepared foods.
Consumers, meanwhile, may increasingly look for properly labelled products and information about the ingredients used in packaged paneer.
Enforcement across Karnataka
The FDA has said that necessary measures will be taken across Karnataka to enforce the prohibition.
Food safety officials can inspect establishments and examine products to determine whether food businesses are complying with the applicable standards. Products found to be improperly labelled or marketed may face regulatory action under the relevant food safety framework.
The department’s action also places greater responsibility on food businesses to ensure that their suppliers are providing products that meet the prescribed standards.
While the notification cited in the report specified August 17, 2026 as the end date of the prohibition, any continuation beyond that date should be verified through an updated government notification.
The broader message from the Karnataka FDA remains that products made from vegetable oils, starches or other non-dairy ingredients should not be passed off as standardised paneer. The move is aimed at ensuring accurate food labelling, regulatory compliance and greater transparency for consumers across the state.