The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed new restrictions on the manufacture and sale of non-dairy food products being marketed as “paneer”.
The proposal is aimed at products commonly described as analogue paneer, which are made using ingredients that are not derived from milk. The regulator said the move is intended to ensure that consumers are not misled about the nature and composition of the food they purchase.
FSSAI has released the draft Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2026, and invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders. The consultation period is 60 days.
Existing Products May Also Have to Drop ‘Paneer’ From Their Name
Under the proposed amendment, products already licensed or registered under the “Analogue in Dairy Context” category would also be required to stop using the word “paneer” in their product names, labels or marketing material.
The draft specifically addresses paneer products made from constituents that are not derived from milk. The proposal seeks to bring their manufacture and sale under tighter restrictions.
The latest notification has been listed by FSSAI as a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.
What Is Analogue Paneer?
Analogue paneer refers to a food product designed to resemble or perform like a milk-based product but made partly or entirely with ingredients that do not come from milk.
Such products can contain non-dairy ingredients in place of some of the milk components. FSSAI’s proposal focuses on preventing these products from being presented to consumers simply as paneer when they do not meet the dairy-based description.
The regulator’s proposed change is therefore focused not only on manufacturing and sales but also on how such products are identified and presented to consumers.
Why Is FSSAI Proposing the Change?
According to FSSAI, the proposed amendment is intended to prevent consumers from being misled about what they are buying.
The regulator said the amendment would restrict the manufacture and sale of analogue products as paneer so that the product’s name and presentation accurately reflect its nature and composition.
The Health Ministry has also backed the proposed labelling change, saying that consumers should be able to understand the nature of food products and make informed choices.
States Have Already Taken Action
The proposal comes after several states took enforcement action against the sale and manufacture of analogue dairy products.
FSSAI has also issued directions in the past concerning the use of dairy terms for analogue products. In a public notice issued by its western regional office, the regulator said the use of cheese analogue in foods while presenting dishes as paneer-based products can violate food safety rules.
The latest draft seeks to establish a broader regulatory framework through an amendment to the existing regulations.
FSSAI Steps Up Action Against Food Businesses
The proposed restrictions on analogue paneer come amid increased enforcement by the food regulator against food businesses over labelling, misleading claims, hygiene and other compliance issues.
The regulator has also been examining products sold through online food and grocery platforms as part of its enforcement activities.
The paneer proposal, however, is still at the draft stage. Stakeholders have been given 60 days to submit objections or suggestions before the proposed amendment can move through the regulatory process.
