he Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has proposed restricting the manufacture and sale of non-milk-derived analogue products as “Paneer” in India, in a move aimed at preventing consumers from being misled about the nature and composition of food products.
The proposal is contained in the draft Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2026, notified by FSSAI and listed on its official notifications portal on September 24.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Issue/Event: FSSAI proposes restrictions on using “Paneer” for non-milk-derived analogue products.
Location: India.
Authority/Organisation: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Action Taken: Draft amendment issued and public objections and suggestions invited.
Impact: Products registered under the “Analogue in Dairy Context” category could have to remove “Paneer” from their product names, labels and marketing if the proposal is adopted.
Under the proposed amendment, a new provision would specifically cover “paneer made of constituents not derived from milk.” Products already licensed or registered under the “Analogue in Dairy Context” category would be required to discontinue the use of the term “Paneer” in their nomenclature, labelling or marketing if the proposal is adopted.
FSSAI said the proposed change is intended to ensure that food product names and presentation accurately reflect their nature and composition, allowing consumers to make informed choices.
The proposal applies to analogue products that imitate characteristics of dairy products but contain constituents that are not derived from milk. Such products have been subject to increasing regulatory scrutiny over how they are labelled and marketed.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
For consumers, the proposed change could make it easier to distinguish conventional milk-derived paneer from products made with non-milk ingredients. For food businesses, manufacturers, restaurants and other food operators dealing with dairy analogues, the proposal could affect product nomenclature, packaging, menus and marketing if it becomes final. The key point is that the proposal is still under consultation and should not be treated as a final ban.
