Why Maharashtra banned analogue paneer: 7 key reasons explained by FDA chief Tukaram Mundhe

In one of Maharashtras biggest food safety crackdowns Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Wednesday explained why the state has imposed a oneyear ban on the production storage sale transportation and use of analogue paneerThe decision follows alarming laboratory findings that 354 per cent of paneer samples tested across the state failed to meet food safety standards prompting authorities to cite public health risks consumer deception and the absence of statutory quality standards for the productAddressing a press conference Mundhe said the ban issued under Section 302a of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 forms part of the states Safe Food Safe Maharashtra campaignThe prohibition will remain in force for one year after which the government will review its effectiveness before deciding whether to extend or withdraw itWhy was analogue paneer banned Heres what the FDA chief said1 Over onethird of paneer samples failed quality testsThe biggest trigger behind the decision was a statewide surveillance drive carried out by the Food and Drug Administration FDA Between April 1 2025 and March 31 2026 authorities collected 308 paneer samples from across Maharashtra for laboratory testingThe results raised serious concerns109 samples 354 per cent failed to meet food safety standards79 samples were declared substandard30 samples were declared unsafe for human consumptionAccording to Mundhe these findings highlighted the urgent need for regulatory intervention2 Analogue paneer contains vegetable fat instead of milk fatMundhe said laboratory analysis found that several products marketed as paneer contained vegetable fat instead of natural milk fatPaneer is a standardised dairy product under the Food Safety and Standards Food Products Standards and Food Additives Regulations 2011However analogue paneer is made by replacing milk fat or milk solids with vegetable oil vegetable fat or other nondairy ingredients while resembling traditional paneerThe FDA said such products compromise food quality and may pose health risks especially when consumers are unaware of what they are consuming3 Consumers are being misledThe FDA found that many hotels restaurants caterers and cloud kitchens were allegedly using analogue paneer without informing customersAccording to Mundhe serving analogue paneer when consumers order paneer amounts to misleading customers and constitutes an unfair trade practice under the Food Safety and Standards Act4 No legal quality standards exist for analogue paneerUnlike dairy paneer analogue paneer does not have any statutory quality standards under existing food regulationsAccording to the FDA the absence of prescribed standards has made fieldlevel regulation difficult and allowed such products to be sold without adequate oversight5 Complaints prompted statewide actionExplaining the decision Mundhe said the department received numerous complaints through social media food safety offices public representatives and discussions in legislative forumsFollowing these complaints officials collected market samples and conducted laboratory analyses before deciding to prohibit analogue paneer across Maharashtra6 Public health concerns took priorityMundhe said the ban was imposed in the interest of public health under the powers vested in him by Section 302a of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006The order also cites Article 21 of the Constitution which guarantees the right to life and Article 47 which directs the State to improve nutrition and protect public health7 Supreme Court and FSSAI recommendations supported the moveThe Maharashtra government said the Supreme Court has previously described adulteration in milk and dairy products as a serious threat to public healthIt also referred to recommendations of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAIs Central Advisory Committee which flagged the misuse of analogue dairy products due to the absence of quality standards and recommended stricter regulationBan to be reviewed after one yearMundhe said the prohibition has been imposed for one year and will be reviewed before the government decides whether to withdraw or extend itThis is not a permanent ban After one year we will review the situation and decide whether the prohibition should continue he saidStrict enforcement across MaharashtraThe order applies to manufacturers processors wholesalers retailers distributors transporters warehouse operators hotels restaurants caterers cloud kitchens eateries and all Food Business Operators FBOsFood Safety Officers across Maharashtra have been directed to carry out special inspection drives Authorities can seize and destroy prohibited products and initiate legal action including financial penalties licencerelated action and prosecution against violatorsAccess to safe pure and quality food is a constitutional and legal right of every citizen Anyone deceiving consumers for profit and compromising public health will not be tolerated Maharashtra will adopt a zerotolerance policy against substandard misleading and unsafe food Mundhe said