New Delhi/Bengaluru 22 August (H.S.): The Karnataka government has imposed a one-year ban on the production, sale, storage and supply of “analogue” paneer, a non-dairy substitute for conventional paneer, citing public health concerns ahead of the festive season.

Officials of the Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department announced the decision on Saturday. Department Commissioner Srinivas K. said the department issued a notification on August 17 prohibiting the manufacture, processing, packing, storage, supply, wholesale and retail sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer across the state for one year.

According to officials, analogue paneer is an alternative to conventional paneer made from milk. Instead of milk, it is prepared using vegetable oils, vegetable fats or other non-dairy ingredients. They said such products cannot be labelled, marketed or sold to consumers as “paneer”.

The department stated that under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, paneer is a standardised food product that is prepared from milk. Milk fat is a key component of standardised paneer, and its replacement with vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other non-dairy ingredients is not permitted.

The department said several paneer samples had been tested in Karnataka and no adulteration was detected. However, it decided to prohibit the sale of analogue paneer in the interest of public health.

The order will not apply to standardised food products such as frozen desserts, processed cheese and blended-fat spreads, as separate standards have already been prescribed for these products.

The department has warned food business operators against using, storing, supplying or selling analogue or non-dairy paneer in any food product or prepared dish.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar