Andhra Pradesh Bans Analogue Paneer for One Year

Andhra Pradesh imposed a one-year ban on analogue paneer from 29 October 2026. Commissioner of Food Safety G. Veerapandian issued the order through an extraordinary gazette notification under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Scope of the prohibition

The ban covers the manufacture, processing, packing, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of non-standardised dairy analogues, as well as their use in commercial food services. Analogue paneer refers to substitutes in which milk, milk fat or milk solids are wholly or partly replaced with vegetable fats, palm oil or other non-dairy ingredients.

Food Business Operators must ensure that products sold or served as paneer meet applicable standards of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and are not misrepresented. The stated objectives are to protect public health, prevent consumer deception and promote fair trade. Telangana and Punjab have also imposed similar one-year bans.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 consolidated several food-related laws, including the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
• The Act provides for science-based standards for food and regulates its manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import.