Maharashtra bans analogue non‑dairy paneer for year

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration announced a one‑year ban on the production, processing, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of analogue or non‑dairy paneer, citing violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Ban details and enforcement scope

The order, issued under Sections 18, 29 and 30(2)(a) of the act, follows a two‑month enforcement campaign that began on May 25, 2026. During that period, the agency collected paneer samples from multiple districts and sent them to notified food laboratories. Tests revealed that many products labeled as paneer contained unauthorized ingredients such as extraneous vegetable fat instead of milk fat.

Out of 308 samples analyzed, 109 (35.4 %) met standards, while 79 were classified as sub‑standard and 30 deemed unsafe. The ban applies to hotels, restaurants, caterers, cloud kitchens and other food‑service establishments that sell analogue paneer.

Regulatory actions and broader crackdown

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe stated that “it is the constitutional and legal right of every citizen of Maharashtra to receive safe, pure and quality food.” He added that anyone profiting by defrauding consumers will face “zero tolerance” measures. The agency also targeted illegal gutka, flavored tobacco and other prohibited items, suspending and canceling licenses of violators.

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In total, the enforcement drive inspected 3,137 establishments, issued 764 improvement notices, and suspended 165 licenses. Authorities filed 532 FIRs and arrested 714 individuals linked to food‑safety breaches. Regarding prohibited tobacco products, 676 establishments were inspected, leading to 658 illegal items being seized, 519 FIRs filed, and 701 arrests.

Milk‑product inspections numbered 476, resulting in 196 improvement notices and 16 suspensions. Inspectors seized 149,775 kg of products worth ₹3.82 crore. Konkan alone accounted for ₹2.48 crore of these seizures, representing 65 % of the state total.

Other categories examined included edible oil, amla, laddu, khoa, bakery items, candy, jaggery, ghee, dates, ice cream, kulfi, frozen desserts and spices. Inspectors seized 2,526,822 kg of assorted goods valued at ₹36.00 crore.

The Supreme Court has previously flagged milk adulteration as a serious public health danger, prompting states to act. The FSSAI Central Advisory Committee has also recommended a strict policy on analogue dairy products.

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The pattern suggests that when regulators zero in on a high‑visibility product, related violations often surface, highlighting the need for thorough oversight.

Next steps and public resources

The FDA has directed Joint Commissioners (Food), Assistant Commissioners (Food), Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers to conduct a special inspection drive across production centers, warehouses, transport systems, wholesale markets, retail outlets and food‑service establishments. Samples of suspect products will continue to be collected, and any unlawful items may be seized and destroyed.

Violators will face penalties under the penal provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.