Maharashtra has prohibited the manufacture and sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer across the state as part of a wider campaign against food adulteration. Violators may face imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, depending on the seriousness of the offence.
The order, issued by Maharashtra Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, prohibits the manufacturing, processing, packing, storage, transportation, distribution, wholesale and retail sale of analogue paneer. It also prevents businesses from offering such products for sale anywhere in the state.
Analogue paneer is generally produced using vegetable oils, vegetable fats and other non-dairy ingredients instead of milk fat. Although it can look similar to traditional paneer, concerns arise when sellers present it as genuine dairy paneer without clearly informing consumers about its ingredients.
Penalties under food safety law
Authorities said violations would be prosecuted under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Offenders could receive a jail term of up to six months and a maximum fine of Rs 1 lakh. If unsafe food causes a consumer’s death, the law allows life imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 10 lakh.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration warned that passing off analogue paneer as genuine dairy paneer misleads customers and may constitute an unfair trade practice. Restaurants, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers found violating the order could face legal action, licence cancellation or closure.
Maharashtra has become the second state after Chhattisgarh to impose such a prohibition. The issue had previously been raised in the Maharashtra Assembly, where legislators demanded stronger measures against fake paneer and misleading food labels. The order issued on July 30 formally extends the restriction to every major stage of the product’s supply chain.
Raids expose fake paneer production
The decision follows a statewide enforcement campaign targeting synthetic milk, adulterated paneer and unhygienic food establishments. Inspections conducted since May have led to raids, seizures, business closures and the cancellation of food licences across Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra.
During a major operation at a godown in Manjari Khurd, Pune, officials uncovered an alleged fake paneer manufacturing unit and seized approximately 1,400 kg of paneer. The inspection team also confiscated around 1,800 kg of skimmed milk powder, 400 kg of glycerol monostearate powder and 718 litres of palm oil.
Officials alleged that these cheaper ingredients were being used to produce imitation dairy products for sale as regular paneer. The government said inspections would continue to protect consumers and prevent adulterated or incorrectly labelled food from entering Maharashtra’s retail and restaurant markets.
