FSSAI Proposes Ban on Paneer Label for Analogue Products

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed restricting the use of the term “paneer” for analogue paneer and cheese products under the draft Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2026. The proposal applies to products already licensed or registered under the “Analogue in Dairy Context” category and seeks to align food names with product composition.

Paneer and Dairy Analogues

Paneer is a fresh acid-set cheese made from milk, and it is widely used in Indian cuisine. Analogue paneer and cheese products are substitutes that use ingredients other than traditional milk-based paneer, and they are sold in retail, hotel, restaurant, and catering settings.

Regulatory Framework

The draft amendment was notified on September 22, 2026, and it proposes that products using dairy analogues should not use “Paneer” in nomenclature, labelling, or marketing. The Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations require food information to be presented in a manner that identifies the product clearly to consumers.

Consumer Labelling and Compliance

Under the proposal, food business operators using substitutes for paneer or cheese would need to identify such products at menu cards, packaging labels, and other consumer touchpoints. The FSSAI has opened a 60-day window for objections and suggestions from stakeholders and the public, and submissions are to be sent to the Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI.

Important Facts for Exams

• The FSSAI is a statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 consolidated India’s food safety laws under one framework.
• Paneer is a common dairy product in India and is classified as a fresh cheese in food studies.
• Analogue dairy products are often used in hotels, restaurants, and catering services as lower-cost substitutes.

State-Level Action

Karnataka and Telangana have taken action against analogue paneer at the state level, and Telangana’s ban became effective from September 10, 2026, for one year. The proposed FSSAI amendment is a nationwide regulatory measure covering labelling and sale practices for analogue dairy products.