The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration has prohibited the manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation and sale of analogue or non-dairy
paneer being sold under the name "Paneer" across the state. The order, issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, will remain in force for one year from August 17, 2026. The department clarified that products in which milk or milk fat is partly or wholly replaced with vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other non-dairy ingredients cannot be labelled, marketed or represented to consumers as "Paneer". "The Food Safety Division of the Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration, Karnataka, has issued a Government Notification dated August 17, prohibiting the manufacturing, processing, packing, storage, distribution, transportation, wholesale and retail sales, display for sale and supply of Analogue/Non-Dairy Paneer being sold under the name 'Paneer' in the state for a year," the department Commissioner Srinivas K, said in a statement.
What Is Analogue Paneer?
A product 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 is considered Analogue /Non-Dairy Paneer, officials said.
The development has come following testing of several paneer samples by Karnataka authorities. The department said the action is aimed at protecting public health and preventing consumers from being misled.
The prohibition does not apply to standardized food products such as frozen desserts, processed cheese and cheese/mixed-fat spread, which are covered under separate FSSAI standards.
Also, the Food Business Operators across Karnataka have been directed to strictly comply with the order and necessary measures will be taken for its implementation.
Such a product shall not be labelled, marketed, sold or represented to consumers as 'paneer', they said.
According to the department, as per the regulation of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Paneer is a standardised food product prepared from milk.
Milk fat is a key constituent of Paneer, and the replacement of milk fat with, or use of vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other non-dairy ingredients in place of milk components, is not permitted, it said.
"Karnataka has tested several paneer samples, and it is found that there is no adulteration. Even though there is no adulteration of paneer with vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other dairy ingredients, the prohibition is ordered in the interest of public health," the department said.
The officials said that this prohibition applies only 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 shall not apply to standardised food products such as Frozen Dessert, Processed Cheese and Mixed Fat Spread, which are already covered under separate prescribed standards, it clarified.
Further, the department has warned that no food business operator shall use, store, supply or sell Analogue / Non-Dairy Paneer in the preparation or manufacture of any food product or food item.
The Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration will take necessary measures across the state for the effective implementation and enforcement. Food business operators have been advised to strictly comply with the provisions of the order.
With inputs from PTI
