Karnataka Bans ‘Analogue Paneer’ Sold As Paneer For One Year

The Karnataka government has prohibited the production, storage, distribution and sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer being marketed as “paneer” across the state for one year. The Food Safety Division of the Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration issued the notification on August 17, with officials stating that the measure has been introduced in the interest of public health.

According to department Commissioner Srinivas K, the prohibition covers the manufacturing, processing, packing, storage, distribution, transportation, wholesale and retail sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer being sold under the name “paneer”. The order also covers displaying such products for sale and supplying them to consumers. Food business operators have been directed to comply with the restrictions during the one-year period.

Officials explained that analogue or non-dairy paneer refers to products prepared in the form of paneer by wholly or partially replacing milk fat or milk solids with vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other non-dairy ingredients. Unlike standardised paneer, which is prepared from milk, such products use alternative ingredients. The department clarified that these products cannot be labelled, marketed, sold or represented to consumers as “paneer”.

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The department referred to the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, under which paneer is a standardised food product prepared from milk. Milk fat is a key constituent of paneer, and replacing milk components with vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other non-dairy ingredients is not permitted under the standard. The restriction is therefore aimed specifically at products being presented to consumers as conventional paneer.

The Karnataka department also clarified that the decision was not based on findings of adulteration in the paneer samples it tested. Officials said several samples were examined and no adulteration involving vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other dairy ingredients was found. The prohibition applies to dairy analogue products for which specific quality standards have not been prescribed or standardised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The order does not cover standardised food products such as frozen dessert, processed cheese and mixed fat spread, which are already governed by separate prescribed standards. The department has also prohibited food business operators from using, storing, supplying or selling analogue or non-dairy paneer in the preparation or manufacture of other food items. The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department will take measures across Karnataka to implement the order and ensure compliance.

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