Maharashtra Bans Analogue Paneer for One Year

Maharashtra imposed a state-wide one-year ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation and sale of analogue paneer, also called non-dairy paneer, from 30 July 2026. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration issued the order through a gazette notification under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the penalty for violations includes imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.

Analogue Paneer: Definition and Composition

Analogue paneer is a dairy substitute prepared with vegetable oils, starches, emulsifiers and other non-dairy ingredients. Traditional paneer is a milk-based fresh cheese made by coagulating milk with an acid or food-grade coagulant.

Regulatory Provisions in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration required food establishments from 1 May 2026 to disclose the use of paneer or cheese analogues on menus, display boards and customer bills. The one-year ban applies to hotels, restaurants, caterers, cloud kitchens and local eateries across all districts of Maharashtra.

Legal Basis and State Action

The notification was issued by Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. The action followed concerns raised in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly by Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Vikram Pachpute on synthetic paneer in the market.

Important Facts for Exams

• Analogue paneer is a non-dairy food product and is different from milk-based paneer.
• The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, is the central law governing food safety in India.
• Chhattisgarh was the first state to impose a complete ban on analogue paneer before Maharashtra.
• Food establishments in Maharashtra were asked to disclose cheese analogues on menus, display boards and bills from 1 May 2026.

State-wise Food Safety Measures

Maharashtra became the second Indian state after Chhattisgarh to impose a complete ban on analogue paneer. The order covers all districts of Maharashtra and applies to both sale and service of the product in prepared dishes.