In a major crackdown on food adulteration, the Maharashtra government has imposed a complete ban on the manufacture, storage, transport, sale and distribution of analogue paneer, a non-dairy product often marketed as traditional paneer. The decision is aimed at preventing consumers from being misled by imitation products sold as genuine dairy paneer.
The order, issued by Maharashtra Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, makes the state the second in the country after Chhattisgarh to prohibit analogue paneer. Officials warned that anyone found manufacturing or selling the product in violation of the order could face imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Authorities further cautioned that if the consumption of unsafe food leads to a person’s death, offenders may face life imprisonment along with a minimum fine of ₹10 lakh.
What Is Analogue Paneer?
Analogue paneer, commonly referred to as non-dairy or imitation paneer, is a paneer-like product prepared without using fresh milk. Instead, manufacturers typically use refined vegetable oils or palm oil, skimmed milk powder, emulsifiers, stabilisers and other food additives to replicate the texture and appearance of traditional paneer.
Although it resembles regular paneer in colour and consistency, it is significantly cheaper to produce because it replaces expensive milk fat with vegetable-based ingredients.
Where Is It Commonly Used?
Food safety officials say analogue paneer has often been supplied to restaurants, roadside eateries, caterers and fast-food outlets because of its lower cost.
It is commonly used in dishes such as:
- Paneer Butter Masala
- Kadai Paneer
- Chilli Paneer
- Paneer Tikka
- Paneer Pizza
- Paneer Rolls and Wraps
- Paneer Burgers
- Sandwiches and other fast-food preparations
The concern arises when such products are served as dairy paneer without informing customers, leading to misleading food practices.
Why Has Maharashtra Banned It?
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), selling analogue paneer as genuine dairy paneer amounts to misleading consumers and violates food safety regulations.
Under Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) norms, authentic paneer must be prepared from milk and should not contain starch, non-dairy fats or synthetic substitutes. While FSSAI permits analogue paneer if it is clearly labelled and disclosed, Maharashtra has now prohibited its manufacture and sale within the state.
Crackdown On Fake Dairy Products
The ban follows an intensified drive against adulterated dairy products across Maharashtra. Since May, food safety teams have carried out inspections and raids targeting units suspected of manufacturing synthetic milk and fake paneer.
In one of the biggest operations, officials raided a warehouse in Pune’s Manjari Khurd and seized nearly 1,400 kg of suspected fake paneer. The team also recovered 1,800 kg of skimmed milk powder, 400 kg of glycerol monostearate (GMS) powder and 718 litres of palm oil, materials allegedly being used to manufacture imitation dairy products.
The latest decision is expected to strengthen ongoing enforcement efforts against food adulteration and prevent restaurants, hotels and food businesses from passing off imitation paneer as genuine dairy products, while ensuring greater transparency and consumer protection.
