Uttarakhand Bans Sale Of Fake Paneer, Ghee And Butter Immediately

The Uttarakhand government has banned the manufacture, storage, transportation and sale of substandard and imitation dairy products, including paneer, ghee and butter made using vegetable oils, starch and chemicals instead of genuine milk. The prohibition came into immediate effect across the state under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with authorities stating that the move is aimed at protecting consumers from products that may be misleadingly marketed as genuine dairy items.

The order was issued by Uttarakhand Health Secretary and Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, Vinay Shankar Pandey. Officials said the ban applies to products sold or marketed as paneer, ghee, butter and other dairy products when they are not genuine milk-based products and could mislead consumers about their composition.

The decision follows directions from the Chief Minister to strengthen food safety measures and ensure the availability of safe, pure and quality food across the state. Authorities said the action is intended to safeguard public health and prevent the sale of imitation dairy products that do not meet prescribed food safety standards.

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Following the order, the Food Safety Department will conduct a statewide inspection drive covering dairy manufacturing units, warehouses, wholesale and retail markets, hotels, restaurants and sweet shops. Officials will check the products being manufactured, stored and sold at these establishments and identify items suspected of violating food safety regulations.

Samples of suspected products will be collected and sent to laboratories for testing, officials said. Establishments found violating the regulations could face prosecution under the Food Safety and Standards Act, along with other enforcement measures. Authorities may also seize products that fail to meet the required standards.

The government has directed food business operators to comply with the prohibition with immediate effect. Officials warned that strict action would be taken against those manufacturing, storing, transporting or selling prohibited imitation dairy products. The statewide inspection campaign is expected to focus particularly on products presented to consumers as genuine paneer, ghee, butter or other dairy items despite being made from alternative ingredients.

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