Karnataka Bans Analogue Paneer for One Year

Karnataka’s Food Safety Division has prohibited the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of analogue paneer sold as “paneer” across the state for one year, from 17 August 2026 to 17 August 2027. The order was issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and applies to non-dairy products marketed under a dairy name.

Analogue Paneer: Definition and Composition

Analogue paneer is a food product that resembles dairy paneer but uses vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other non-dairy ingredients in place of milk fat or milk solids, either wholly or partly. The state definition covers products that imitate paneer in appearance, texture or use, but do not meet the composition of milk-based paneer.

Legal Basis and Regulatory Powers

The directive was issued by the Food Safety Commissioner under Sections 30(2)(a), 18 and 29 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Section 30 deals with the powers of the Commissioner, while Section 18 lays down the general principles of food safety and Section 29 concerns the powers of food safety officers and related enforcement functions.

Food Safety Standards and Exempted Products

The notification states that the ban applies to dairy analogue products that do not have quality standards prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It does not cover standardised food items such as processed cheese, frozen desserts or mixed fat spreads, which are regulated under separate food categories.

Important Facts for Exams

• Paneer is a fresh acid-set cheese commonly made from cow milk or buffalo milk in India.
• Food safety regulation in India is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is the apex food regulator in the country.
• Analogue dairy products are often used as lower-cost substitutes in the food service sector.

State Action and Consumer Protection Measures

Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, U.T. Khader, stated that action would be taken against hotels and restaurants using artificial paneer substitutes. Food safety authorities also stated that recent laboratory tests on local paneer samples did not find active cases of vegetable oil adulteration.

Other States with Similar Restrictions

Karnataka joins Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in restricting analogue paneer. Himachal Pradesh imposed a state-wide ban on 20 August 2026.