FSSAI Proposes Bar on 'Paneer' Label for Non-Milk Products
FSSAI has proposed a draft amendment to prohibit non-milk-derived products from being sold or marketed as 'Paneer', inviting public objections within 60 days.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, aimed at stopping analogue products from being manufactured and sold under the name "Paneer".
The move is intended to prevent consumers from being misled about the nature and composition of such products.
The proposed Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2026 seek to insert a new clause under Regulation 2.1.1 of the existing rules, specifically covering "paneer made of constituents not derived from milk".
Under the draft, products already licensed or registered under the "Analogue in Dairy Context" category would have to discontinue use of the term "Paneer" in their nomenclature, labelling or marketing.
FSSAI said the amendment is meant to ensure that the naming and presentation of food products accurately reflect what they contain, so that consumers can make informed choices.
As the notification is a draft regulation, the authority has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and members of the public. The draft will be taken into consideration after 60 days from the date copies of the Official Gazette containing the notification are made available to the public.
Objections or suggestions may be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi – 110002, or submitted through the email address specified in the notification.
The amendment has been issued with the previous approval of the Central Government under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The principal regulations were notified in 2011 and have been amended from time to time.