BENGALURU: Karnataka has banned the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer being sold in the market as “Paneer” for one year, with the state food safety authorities citing public health and consumer protection.The Food Safety Division of the Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration issued a notification to this effect, which will remain in force across Karnataka for one year from the date of issuance.The order has been issued under Sections 30(2)(a), 18 and 29 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.Under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, paneer is a standardised food product prepared from milk.The department said milk fat is a key constituent of paneer and that replacing milk fat with vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other non-dairy ingredients in place of milk components is not permitted.The department said Karnataka had tested several paneer samples and found no adulteration with vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other dairy ingredients.However, it said the prohibition was being imposed as a precautionary measure in the interest of public health to ensure that such products were not used, stored, supplied, sold or transported.According to the notification, a product made in the form of paneer by wholly or partially replacing milk fat or milk solids with vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other non-dairy ingredients would be classified as Analogue / Non-Dairy Paneer.Such a product cannot be labelled, marketed, sold or represented to consumers as “Paneer”, the department said.The authorities also clarified that the prohibition applies only to dairy analogue products for which the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has not prescribed specific quality standards.The order will not cover standardised food products such as Frozen Dessert, Processed Cheese and Mixed Fat Spread, which are already governed by separate prescribed standards.The notification further states that no Food Business Operator shall use, store, supply or sell Analogue / Non-Dairy Paneer for preparing or manufacturing any food product or food item.The Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration said it would take necessary steps across Karnataka to ensure effective implementation and enforcement of the order.It has also advised the public and all Food Business Operators to strictly comply with the provisions of the notification.(With ANI inputs)
