In a major move to curb food adulteration and protect consumers, the Maharashtra government has imposed an immediate one-year, state-wide ban on the manufacture, processing, packing, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of analogue paneer (artificial or non-dairy cottage cheese). With the decision, Maharashtra becomes the second state after Chhattisgarh to prohibit the product.
The order, issued by Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS Act), 2006, bars the use of analogue paneer across the state, including in hotels, restaurants, caterers, cloud kitchens and local eateries. Selling or serving analogue paneer while misrepresenting it as genuine dairy paneer has been classified as an unfair trade practice, with authorities warning of strict legal action against violators.
Under the FSS Act, offenders may face imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, depending on the severity of the offence. In cases where unsafe food consumption leads to death, the law provides for life imprisonment along with a minimum fine of Rs 10 lakh. The FDA has also directed inspection teams to conduct surprise raids, seize non-compliant products and initiate legal proceedings against offenders.
The crackdown follows repeated demands in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, particularly by BJP MLA Vikram Pachpute, who raised concerns over the widespread use of synthetic paneer. Welcoming the notification, Pachpute said the move would help protect consumers from food fraud and ensure stricter enforcement across the state.
The decision is backed by extensive surveillance carried out between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. Of the 308 paneer and dairy analogue samples tested, 109 (35.4 per cent) failed to meet state standards, including 79 sub-standard samples and 30 declared unsafe. Laboratory tests found that milk fat had frequently been replaced with cheaper vegetable oils and non-dairy fats.
Unlike traditional paneer, analogue paneer is made using vegetable oils such as palm oil, starches and other non-dairy ingredients to mimic the appearance and texture of dairy paneer at a lower cost. Although it closely resembles genuine paneer, it lacks key nutrients such as protein, calcium and vitamins, raising concerns over its nutritional value and potential health risks, especially for vegetarians who rely on paneer as a major source of protein.
The Maharashtra FDA has also directed manufacturers of genuine paneer to comply strictly with the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. Loose paneer without proper packaging, batch identification or invoices will attract action, while violators may face product seizure, destruction of inventory and prosecution under various provisions of the FSS Act.
