Assam imposes statewide restrictions after 70 per cent of paneer samples fail tests
The state government has banned the sale and manufacture of unauthorised dairy analogues that are misrepresented as genuine paneer for one year.
The Assam government has imposed a one-year statewide prohibition on the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of unauthorised dairy analogues being sold as genuine paneer, according to The Assam Tribune. This decision follows laboratory tests where approximately 70 per cent of 60 milk-based paneer samples collected across urban areas over nearly 10 months failed to meet quality standards.
The Assam Food Safety Commissionerate issued the order on October 31 under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Laboratory examinations detected issues such as excessive moisture, starch, deficiencies in milk fat, and the presence of vegetable or other foreign fats in products sold as paneer.
Health Minister Ashok Singhal said at a press conference on Tuesday that the government will take strict action against food adulteration and practices that mislead consumers. He stated that if a business operator uses these fake products and cannot provide purchase documents, they will be held responsible as the manufacturers.
The prohibition order clarifies that products cannot be marketed as paneer simply because they look or feel like it if their composition does not meet prescribed standards. However, the order does not ban dairy alternatives that are lawfully made and clearly labelled according to regulatory requirements.
Food business operators, including hotels, restaurants, caterers, and cloud kitchens, have been directed to use only legally compliant and properly labelled products. Operators must also verify the source and composition of their stock and maintain proper records for inspection by food safety authorities.