Gujarat and Maharashtra Intensify Action Against Analogue Paneer

The Story in Brief

Gujarat and Maharashtra have stepped up action against analogue paneer, a cheaper substitute made with vegetable fats, milk solids, starches and additives. Gujarat inspections reportedly found undeclared analogue products and substandard samples. During a six-day drive, officials inspected 2,527 establishments, destroyed 703 kg of spurious paneer, sealed 18 units and issued 270 notices. Maharashtra has imposed a one-year ban on unstandardised analogue paneer.

The main concern is that customers may be served an imitation product without being informed. Gujarat has also banned analogue cheese and butter. Food safety authorities say the decisions followed inspections and laboratory testing, but Gujarat’s announcement did not provide detailed test results or name specific products. Analogue products may be legal when correctly labelled and compliant with standards.

The Indian Opinion

The action addresses a genuine consumer information problem, especially when imitation products are sold as dairy paneer. However, claims that all analogue products are dangerous would be too broad without clear test results and evidence of harm. Authorities should publish testing methods, affected products and enforcement details. Businesses also need practical labelling rules. Consumers should remain cautious without assuming every low-cost paneer product is unsafe.

Sources (4): timesofindia.indiatimes.com, indiatvnews.com, ndtvprofit.com, freepressjournal.in

This story was synthesised by AI from the 4 sources linked above.

Updated: this story now draws on 4 sources.