Now Reading: NHRC seeks clarity on analogue paneer sale, labelling rules
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NHRC seeks clarity on analogue paneer sale, labelling rules
The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to all states, Union Territories, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India over a complaint about 'analogue paneer', an imitation of traditional…
The Story in Brief
The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to all states, Union Territories, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India over a complaint about 'analogue paneer', an imitation of traditional dairy paneer. The Commission wants FSSAI to clarify the nutritional composition of these products, including protein and fat content, and whether such information is disclosed to consumers. Three states have already restricted or banned analogue paneer, the NHRC noted.
The case arose from a representation by the Advanced Study Institute of Asia's Centre for Health Equity. Their report alleges analogue paneer may contain vegetable oils, starches, plant proteins and artificial flavours, giving it a nutritional profile different from real paneer. The NHRC has questioned why manufacturing and sale of these products should continue, and has stressed that consumers must not be misled into thinking a non-dairy analogue is conventional paneer.
The Indian Opinion
The NHRC's intervention is timely, but the panic around 'analogue paneer' risks drowning out the real issue: consumer deception. Critics who cry 'attack on innovation' ignore that three states have already restricted these products. FSSAI's labelling rules are the real test, if nutritional profiles are disclosed plainly, the market can decide. If not, a ban may be the only honest option. Will the regulator now mandate clear, bold labels that say 'not dairy' next to the price tag?
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
