The Punjab government has imposed a one-year prohibition on the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer being marketed as “paneer” across the state. The order was issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Punjab, with the move aimed at protecting public health and preventing consumers from being misled by products that resemble genuine dairy paneer.
The Commissioner of Food Safety, Punjab, issued Prohibition Order No. Food(Pb)/2026/1406 on August 20, 2026, under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This provision empowers the Commissioner to prohibit, in the interest of public health, the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of a food article across the state or a specified area for a period of up to one year.
The action follows findings that several Food Business Operators (FBOs) were manufacturing paneer-like products using vegetable oil or fat and other non-dairy ingredients instead of milk, and selling them under the “paneer” label, thereby representing them as genuine dairy products.
The Punjab FDA has also referred to Regulation 2.1.16 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, which specifies standards for chhana and paneer and requires these products to be made from milk or milk products. Products made using vegetable fat or oil instead of milk therefore do not meet the prescribed standard and cannot legally be sold as “paneer.”
Following the prohibition order, a compliance letter dated August 25, 2026, was issued by the Joint Commissioner, Food Safety, Punjab, directing all Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers across the state to ensure strict enforcement. The government has warned that violations of the order will invite strict legal action.
The move places greater emphasis on authenticity, correct product identity and regulatory compliance in the dairy sector, while sending a clear message to food businesses that non-dairy alternatives cannot be marketed as conventional milk-based paneer. (The Economic Times)
Source: Dairynews7x7 30 Aug, 2026 Read full story here
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