FSSAI draft seeks to bar dairy analogues from using ‘paneer’ in branding

India’s food regulator has proposed restricting non-milk dairy analogue products from using “paneer” on packaging or in marketing. If finalised after a 60-day feedback period, affected brands and retailers may need to rename and relabel products.

— Source publishedThu, 24 Sept, 2026, 16:32 IST·First seen Thu, 24 Sept, 2026, 17:47 IST·Source NDTV Profit

What happened

FSSAI has proposed barring non-milk dairy analogue products from using “paneer” in packaging and marketing. If finalised, existing licensed products may need

Key facts

  • 60 days

Why this matters

Food and retail acquirers should diligence portfolio exposure to dairy-analogue naming rules, as affected brands may face reformulation, rebrand and distribution disruption in India.