Himachal Pradesh Bans Mislabelled Analogue Paneer
The Himachal Pradesh government has introduced a one-year restriction on non-dairy paneer-like products sold or described as conventional paneer. The order applies across the state and was issued with immediate effect by Food Safety Commissioner Ashish Singhmar under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The state Food Safety Department conducted inspections and laboratory analyses before the order was issued. Officials reported finding products in which vegetable oils or other non-milk fats had been used instead of milk fat. They also identified cases involving adulteration, inaccurate labelling and insufficient information about the products’ source.
Under the order, food businesses may not produce, move, keep or sell goods containing non-milk fats under the name “paneer” unless the products satisfy applicable standards and are plainly identified as non-dairy alternatives. The restrictions apply to manufacturers, suppliers and other businesses involved in the distribution chain.
Restaurants, hotels, cloud kitchens, hostels, dhabas and catering companies are included. They may not use synthetic or analogue paneer in a dish described simply as paneer on a menu. If a non-dairy substitute is used, the business must tell customers what the product is.
The directive also sets documentation and traceability requirements. Businesses must retain purchase invoices, batch information and product labels in line with food-safety rules. The records are intended to enable officials to establish a product’s origin and follow it through distribution. Products that are misrepresented as paneer may not be transported or stored for sale under that description.
Food Safety Officers have authority to inspect premises, take samples and act against goods that breach the order or relevant regulations. Possible enforcement measures include seizure, recall and destruction, while businesses selling substandard or misbranded products may face proceedings under food-safety legislation.
The government said the measure is not a prohibition on every non-dairy paneer alternative. Products that comply with relevant standards may continue to be made and sold if they are correctly labelled and not presented as dairy paneer. The order therefore distinguishes between an identified alternative and a product made with non-milk fats but marketed as a conventional dairy product.
