Karnataka’s Food Safety Department has banned the use of analogue paneer in hotels, restaurants and food establishments for one year
Karnataka’s Food Safety and Quality Department has ordered a one-year ban on the use of artificial “analogue paneer” in hotels, restaurants and other food establishments across the state. The department has directed food businesses to use only genuine paneer made from milk and milk products and warned of legal action for violations.
Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Food Safety and Quality Department has imposed a one-year ban on the use of artificial “analogue paneer” in hotels, restaurants and food establishments across the state.
The order has been issued as part of measures to regulate the quality of paneer supplied to consumers and address concerns over the use of non-dairy ingredients in products being sold as paneer.
Under the direction, food establishments must use genuine paneer made from milk and milk products. Authorities have also warned that businesses found using or serving analogue paneer could face action under food safety laws.
Karnataka Bans Analogue Paneer in Hotels and Restaurants
The department has instructed hotels, restaurants and other food businesses across Karnataka not to use analogue paneer during the one-year prohibition period.
Officials are expected to conduct inspections at food establishments and dairies across the state to check compliance with the order.
The department has stated that paneer used by food businesses must meet the applicable requirements for milk-based products.
Hotels and restaurants across Karnataka have been directed to use genuine milk-based paneer and not artificial analogue paneer.
What Is Analogue Paneer?
Traditional paneer is produced using milk or milk-derived ingredients. Analogue paneer, by contrast, can be manufactured using non-dairy ingredients such as vegetable oils, starches and other substances in place of some or all of the milk components.
According to the department's concerns, some food establishments may use such products because they can cost less than conventional milk-based paneer.
The use of a non-dairy product while representing it to consumers as paneer raises food labelling and food safety concerns. Authorities are therefore seeking to prevent such products from being supplied under the name of paneer.
Food Safety Department Orders Use of Milk-Based Paneer
The Food Safety and Quality Department has directed food establishments to use milk and milk products for preparing paneer.
Hotels, restaurants and other food businesses have been instructed not to purchase, prepare or serve analogue paneer to consumers during the ban period.
The order forms part of the department's efforts to monitor food quality and ensure that consumers receive products that comply with applicable food safety requirements.
Statewide Inspections and Legal Action
Food safety officials are expected to conduct inspections at hotels, restaurants and dairies across Karnataka to check whether businesses are complying with the order.
During inspections, authorities may examine paneer products, ingredients, purchase records and other relevant information to determine whether prohibited products are being used.
Businesses found violating the directions could face legal action under applicable food safety legislation.
Karnataka Food Businesses Face Compliance Checks
The one-year prohibition places hotels, restaurants and other food establishments under an obligation to review the paneer products they purchase and serve.
Food businesses will need to ensure that the paneer supplied to customers complies with the requirements applicable to milk-based products.
The Food Safety and Quality Department has indicated that enforcement action will be taken against establishments that fail to follow the directions.
