The Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday banned the production, sale and use of analog paneer across the state, citing health concerns and a push to promote naturally produced dairy products. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the decision during a meeting with officials from the food and civil supplies department. Authorities have also been directed to seize analog paneer found in the market as part of the enforcement of the ban.

Analog paneer is generally produced as a lower-cost alternative to traditional paneer made from milk. It can contain vegetable fats and starch, either replacing milk ingredients or being combined with them. The product has become increasingly popular because it is cheaper to manufacture and sell than conventional milk-based paneer. Its use has reportedly grown particularly in the food-service sector, where restaurants and other establishments seek to keep ingredient costs lower.

Announcing the decision, Yadav said Madhya Pradesh would follow other states that have introduced restrictions on analog paneer. “We are banning analog paneer in Madhya Pradesh, just as other states have done. We will boost natural milk production and produce paneer naturally,” he said. The government said the policy was intended to encourage the production and consumption of natural dairy products while addressing concerns over the quality and composition of substitute products.

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Madhya Pradesh has become the fourth state to ban analog paneer, following similar measures in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh. The move reflects growing attention from state authorities to food products that are marketed or used as alternatives to conventional dairy items. Officials said the restrictions would apply to the manufacture, sale and use of analog paneer, with enforcement agencies expected to monitor businesses and food establishments for violations.

The scale of analog paneer consumption in the state has also emerged as a concern for authorities. According to a Food Safety Department official, an estimated 9,000 to 12,000 quintals of analog paneer are consumed every month in Madhya Pradesh. Restaurants are reported to account for a significant share of its use. The government’s decision could therefore have a direct impact on restaurants, food suppliers, manufacturers and other businesses that rely on the cheaper substitute.

Officials have been instructed to seize analog paneer wherever it is found, indicating that the government intends to enforce the prohibition across the supply chain rather than restrict it only at the retail level. Monitoring production units, storage facilities, distributors and restaurants will be important for implementing the order effectively. The authorities are also expected to step up food safety inspections to identify establishments continuing to manufacture, sell or use the prohibited product.

The government has linked the ban to its broader objective of increasing natural milk production and encouraging the manufacture of paneer using conventional dairy ingredients. Supporters of the move argue that greater emphasis on natural dairy products could strengthen demand for milk-based products and discourage the use of cheaper substitutes. At the same time, the ban could require businesses that currently use analog paneer to change their sourcing and production practices.

With Madhya Pradesh now joining Maharashtra, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh in prohibiting analog paneer, the measure adds to state-level efforts to regulate substitute dairy products. The effectiveness of the ban will depend on enforcement and the ability of authorities to prevent production and distribution through informal channels. For consumers, the government’s stated objective is to increase access to naturally produced paneer while addressing concerns surrounding the use of analog alternatives.

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