NEW DELHI: The days of calling a non-milk product “paneer” could be numbered. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a draft amendment aimed at stopping products made from ingredients not derived from milk from being manufactured, marketed or sold using the name “paneer.”
The proposal, notified on September 22, 2026, seeks to prevent consumers from being misled about the nature and composition of products sold as paneer. If approved, products currently licensed or registered under the “Analogue in Dairy Context” category would have to stop using the term “Paneer” in their product names, labels and marketing.
FSSAI proposes to ban the sale of analogue paneer made from constituents not derived from milk. The proposal seeks to safeguard consumer interests and ban the practice of marketing analogue products as paneer. pic.twitter.com/6Lz2QGshAH
— FSSAI (@fssaiindia) September 24, 2026
The proposed amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 specifically addresses paneer made from constituents that are not derived from milk.
If it is not made from milk, can it be called paneer?
Traditional paneer is a milk-based product, while analogue versions can be produced using combinations of vegetable oils, starches, emulsifiers and other ingredients.
FSSAI’s proposed intervention focuses on the name and presentation of these products rather than allowing them to be marketed under terminology that could make consumers believe they are buying conventional milk-based paneer.
The authority says the amendment is intended to ensure that the nomenclature and presentation of food products accurately reflect their nature and composition, allowing consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
For consumers, the change could mean a clearer distinction between genuine milk-based paneer and products manufactured using non-milk ingredients.
‘Analogue in dairy context’ products face labelling change
The proposal specifically targets products already operating under the “Analogue in Dairy Context” category. If the amendment comes into force, such products would have to discontinue the use of “Paneer” in their nomenclature, labelling and marketing.
That could force manufacturers and food businesses to rethink how these products are named and presented to customers, particularly where the word “paneer” currently forms part of a product’s branding or description.
The move comes amid growing attention on the need for greater transparency in the food sector, where consumers may not always know whether a product described using a familiar food name contains the ingredients traditionally associated with it.
Restaurants and food outlets already facing greater disclosure
The proposed national-level action follows a move in Maharashtra earlier this year, when the state Food and Drug Administration directed restaurants, hotels, caterers and fast-food outlets to clearly disclose when they use cheese or dairy analogues instead of conventional products.
Under that directive, establishments were required to identify such products on menus, display boards and bills. The latest FSSAI proposal could take the issue further by restricting the use of the word “paneer” itself for products made from non-milk constituents.
The proposal is currently a draft regulation and is not yet a final prohibition.
FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and members of the public. The submissions can be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI, FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi, or sent through the email address specified in the notification.
The draft will be considered after 60 days from the date copies of the Official Gazette containing the notification are made available to the public.
