Maharashtra FDA imposes one-year ban on analogue (non-dairy) paneer

Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration has barred analogue, non-dairy paneer across the state for one year after laboratory tests found repeated food-safety and labelling violations. The order, issued by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on July 30 and announced on August 5, prohibits manufacture, processing, packing, storage, transport, distribution and sale. It also tells hotels, restaurants, caterers and cloud kitchens not to use the product. Maharashtra is the second state after Chhattisgarh to impose such a ban. ### What exactly did Maharashtra ban? The July 30 order covers “analogue” or non-dairy paneer sold in place of conventional paneer, according to the Maharashtra FDA and multiple local reports. The state said the prohibition applies statewide for one year and took effect immediately. The Hindu reported that the order was issued under Sections 18, 29 and 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. (thehindu.com) The FDA said the ban was part of a broader enforcement campaign running from May 25 to July 31, 2026, focused on food safety, drug quality and consumer protection. ### What is analogue paneer, and why is it controversial? (business-standard.com) Hindustan Times said analogue paneer is a non-dairy substitute made from vegetable oils, starches, emulsifiers and additives rather than milk fat. Business Standard said it resembles traditional paneer in appearance and texture but is produced with non-dairy fats or oils in place of milk fat. (thehindu.com) Business Standard reported that FSSAI rules allow sale of such products only when they are clearly disclosed and correctly labelled. Maharashtra’s FDA said selling analogue paneer as dairy paneer would mislead consumers and amount to an unfair trade practice under food-safety law. ### What did the state’s testing find? (hindustantimes.com) Between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026, Maharashtra FDA collected 308 paneer and analogue-paneer samples from across the state and sent them to notified laboratories, Hindustan Times reported. Of those, 109 samples, or 35.4%, failed to meet prescribed standards. Those failed samples included 79 classified as sub-standard and 30 declared unsafe for consumption, according to Business Standard and The Hindu. (business-standard.com) Hindustan Times said the order cited laboratory findings showing butyro-refractometer readings and iodine values outside prescribed limits for milk fat in a significant number of samples, indicating addition or substitution of vegetable fat. (hindustantimes.com) ### What has Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said? FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the state would apply a “zero tolerance policy” against those selling sub-standard, misleading and unsafe food, according to The Hindu. He also said every citizen had a legal right to safe, pure and quality food. (thehindu.com) The New Indian Express, cited in search results, reported Mundhe said the ban could be extended if required and that the department had received several complaints about analogue paneer. That suggests the state is treating the order as part of an ongoing enforcement drive rather than a one-off action. ### What penalties could violators face? (thehindu.com) Business Standard said violations can attract up to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of up to 1 lakh rupees. In cases where unsafe food causes death, the report said penalties can rise to life imprisonment and a minimum fine of 10 lakh rupees. Hindustan Times reported the same penalty range and said the issue had previously been raised in the Maharashtra legislature, where lawmakers sought a complete ban. (newindianexpress.com) The order warns that passing off analogue paneer as real paneer can trigger strict penal action. ### What happens next for businesses and consumers? Hotels, restaurants, caterers and cloud kitchens in Maharashtra have been directed to stop using analogue paneer during the one-year ban, according to the FDA order summarized by local media. (business-standard.com) Retailers and food businesses found selling or serving the product now face enforcement under the Food Safety and Standards Act. (hindustantimes.com) The Maharashtra FDA’s documents portal is the state site where prohibition orders and related notices are published. The current ban remains in force for one year from July 30, unless the state modifies or extends it. (fda.maharashtra.gov.in) (thehindu.com)