FSSAI Proposes Barring Non-Milk Analogue Products From Being Sold as Paneer

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed banning the making and sale of non-milk products as “paneer”. The proposal is in the draft Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2026, published on 24 September 2026. FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from all stakeholders for 60 days. The amendment aims to make sure product names and labels do not mislead people.

What FSSAI Proposes

The draft seeks a specific restriction on paneer made from non-milk components.

Under the draft amendment, any product licensed or registered under the category “Analogue in Dairy Context” would not be allowed to use the word “paneer” in its name or labelling.

The aim is to stop consumers from being misled about the nature and ingredients of such products.

This is only a draft proposal and not yet a ban.

What Is a Dairy Analogue?

A dairy analogue is a product made to mimic the appearance or performance of a milk-based product, with non-milk ingredients replacing one or more of the milk constituents.

Such a product may look or work like a conventional milk-based product without containing any milk-based ingredients.

The distinction matters for labelling because consumers choose based on whether a product is truly milk-based.

Why the Regulation Is Needed

The proposed restriction focuses on proper naming and consumer awareness.

According to FSSAI, the rule is meant to stop consumers being misled about the nature and composition of products marketed as “paneer.” The Health Ministry has also made a similar observation about the naming and presentation of food products.

Earlier Action on Cheese Analogues

This move follows earlier enforcement and clarifications on non-dairy cheese analogues.

In April 2026, FSSAI's West Region issued a public notice to ensure compliance with food-safety rules on cheese analogues. The notice said that selling a cheese analogue as “paneer” breaches the relevant requirements and called for accurate and clear naming.

The draft, released in September 2026, would make the rules more precise by amending the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. FSSAI's official list of notifications carries this draft amendment dated 24 September 2026.

About FSSAI

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the statutory food regulator in India.

It works under the legal framework of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.

Its responsibilities include developing food standards, regulating food businesses and enforcing food safety.