After analogue paneer ban, Maharashtra FDA launches consumer awareness drive

Representation pic/istock

Just days after Maharashtra banned the manufacture, sale, transport, storage and use of analogue paneer, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is turning its attention to consumers.

The regulator has launched an awareness drive urging people to learn how to distinguish genuine milk-based paneer from its cheaper substitute, saying informed consumers can become the first line of defence against food fraud.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the department will now combine enforcement with consumer education, while launching special inspection drives to ensure the July 30 ban is followed across the state.

How to identify paneer

Genuine paneer
>>Made from milk
>>Soft texture
>>Slightly crumbly
>>Breaks apart easily

Analogue paneer
>>Made using vanaspati (hydrogenated vegetable fat) and other non-dairy ingredients
>>Rubbery texture
>>Excessively stretchy
>>Does not crumble like real paneer

What BOSS says

Tukaram Mundhe, FDA commissioner
"People should insist on consuming only genuine paneer. Original paneer is prepared from milk and has a soft, slightly crumbly texture. Analogue paneer is made using vanaspati and other non-dairy ingredients. It is generally rubbery, excessively stretchy and does not crumble like real paneer. We appeal to every hotel, restaurant and food establishment to use only genuine paneer. From July 30, the sale, transport, storage and use of analogue paneer has been prohibited in Maharashtra."

What's next?

The FDA said it will soon launch
>>Special inspection drives across Maharashtra
>>Checks on compliance with the analogue paneer ban
>>Consumer awareness campaigns
>>Outreach for hotels, restaurants and food
business operators

Officials said re-inspections and cross-verification of establishments will continue to ensure deficiencies identified during earlier inspections are actually rectified.

Other initiatives

The FDA has also introduced
>>Weekly appeal hearings (every Tuesday)
>>Re-inspections of establishments
>>Cross-verification to check compliance
>>Special drives to enforce the analogue paneer ban
>>‘Meet the Commissioner' initiative, allowing
citizens and food business operators to directly raise complaints, suggestions and grievances with the FDA Commissioner.

Why analogue paneer is under scrutiny

According to the FDA, analogue paneer is not a standardised food product. It is prepared with vanaspati (hydrogenated vegetable fat) and other non-dairy ingredients in place of milk, and should not be sold or consumed as a substitute for traditional paneer.