India’s food safety regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has moved toward action against the use of non-dairy ingredients in products being sold as paneer. The issue concerns so-called “analogue paneer,” where some or all milk ingredients may be replaced with non-milk ingredients. FSSAI’s position focuses on ensuring that consumers are not misled about the nature of food products they purchase. Several Indian states have already introduced measures addressing such products, according to reports. The discussion is particularly relevant because paneer is widely consumed across India and is used in homes, restaurants, hotels and packaged-food products. Genuine paneer is traditionally made from milk, while products using substitutes may have a different composition and should be appropriately identified. Food-safety authorities have also encouraged consumers to pay attention to product labels and purchase food from reliable sources. The latest development comes as regulators continue efforts to strengthen food standards and improve transparency in the food market. Any national-level regulatory changes will be important for manufacturers, restaurants, retailers and consumers
