Bengaluru, August 22: The Karnataka government has banned the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer marketed under the name “paneer” across the state for one year, in a move aimed at protecting public health and consumer interests.

The Food Safety Division under Karnataka’s Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration has issued a notification imposing the prohibition. According to a press note issued by the Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, the order will remain in force throughout the state for one year from the date of its issuance.

The action has been taken under Sections 30(2)(a), 18 and 29 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, paneer is a standardised food product made from milk.

The department said milk fat is an essential constituent of paneer and cannot be replaced with vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other non-dairy ingredients. A product prepared in the form of paneer by wholly or partially replacing milk fat or milk solids with such ingredients will be classified as analogue or non-dairy paneer and cannot be labelled, marketed, sold or presented to consumers as “paneer”.

Authorities clarified that while several paneer samples tested in Karnataka had not shown adulteration with vegetable oil or vegetable fat, the ban was imposed as a precautionary measure in the interest of public health. The order is intended to prevent such products from being manufactured, stored, supplied, sold or transported under the name of paneer.

The prohibition applies specifically to dairy analogue products for which no separate quality standards have been prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). It will not apply to standardised products such as frozen desserts, processed cheese and mixed fat spreads, which are covered under separate food safety standards.

The notification also states that no Food Business Operator will be allowed to use, store, supply or sell analogue or non-dairy paneer in the preparation or manufacture of any food product.

The Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration said it would take necessary steps to ensure effective implementation and enforcement of the order across Karnataka. Food business operators and members of the public have been advised to strictly comply with the provisions of the notification.