Bombay HC denies relief to restaurant over banned analogue paneer

The Bombay High Court on Friday refused urgent relief to Udupi Swaad Restaurant in Thane, whose licence was suspended by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration for serving analogue paneer. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad declined to stay the suspension, calling the situation 'poetic justice.' The court said the restaurant must suffer temporarily because it had made customers eat a synthetic substitute without disclosure.

The restaurant argued that the FDA had not issued a mandatory improvement notice under the Food Safety and Standards Act before suspending its licence. The FDA relied on a government order banning the manufacture and sale of analogue paneer in Maharashtra for one year over public health concerns. The court asked why the restaurant did not advertise on its menu or signboard that it was serving analogue paneer, and suggested affected customers approach consumer forums for damages.

The restaurant assured the court it would stop using analogue paneer. The FDA has been directed to file a reply by September 2, and the matter will be heard next on September 7.