FSSAI proposes nationwide ban on analogue paneer
Draft 2026 amendments would bar the manufacture and sale of analogue paneer nationwide, while requiring licensed products to remove “paneer” from labels and marketing. The proposal is open for stakeholder consultation; enforcement timing has not been specified.
What happened
FSSAI has proposed a nationwide ban on manufacturing and sale of analogue paneer, requiring licensed products to drop “paneer” from labels and marketing. The
Key facts
- Nine state governments have already banned analogue paneer
- Eight states listed as having bans for at least one year
- Draft amendment regulations, 2026
What changed
FSSAI has proposed a nationwide ban on manufacturing and sale of analogue paneer, requiring licensed products to drop “paneer” from labels and marketing. The move follows bans in multiple states and intensified dairy-adulteration surveillance ahead of the festival season.
Why this matters
Food retailers and restaurants should audit paneer-adjacent SKUs, supplier certifications and menu labels now, as FSSAI’s proposed ban could force reformulation, relabelling and assortment changes once finalized.
What to watch
- Publication of the final 2026 amendment, its legal definition of analogue paneer and whether any exemptions are included.
- Consultation submissions from dairy cooperatives, foodservice chains, plant-based food makers and packaged-food associations.
- Announcement of an effective date, sell-through window, relabeling deadline and penalties for non-compliance.
- FSSAI enforcement guidance for restaurants, cloud kitchens, marketplaces, imported foods and state food-safety officers.
- Wholesale milk, milk-fat and dairy-paneer price movements versus vegetable-fat and analogue-cheese inputs.