Himachal Pradesh Prohibits Sale of Analogue Paneer for One Year

Key facts

• The Himachal Pradesh government prohibited the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of non-dairy analogue paneer passed off as genuine paneer.
• The order was issued under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and is effective for one year.
• The ban applies to food business operators including restaurants, hotels, cloud kitchens, hostels, dhabas and caterers.
• Such establishments cannot use synthetic or analogue paneer in dishes advertised or listed as paneer on their menus.
• Non-dairy alternatives must be clearly declared to consumers, and FBOs must maintain purchase invoices, batch details and labelling as per FSS Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020.
• Food Safety Officers are empowered to inspect premises, collect samples, and take action including seizure, recall and destruction of non-compliant products.
• Violators may face prosecution under applicable food safety laws for manufacturing or selling substandard, misbranded or unsafe food.
• The government clarified that separately regulated non-dairy products complying with standards are not prohibited, but must be accurately labelled and cannot be represented as genuine dairy paneer.