Punjab has banned the sale and production of analogue paneer sold as real paneer for a duration of one year. This order covers the entire supply chain including manufacturing, storage, transport, and distribution across the state.
The Commissioner of Food Safety issued Prohibition Order number Food (Pb)/2026/1406 on 20 August 2026.
Official instructions sent to food safety officers on 25 August 2026 ordered strict enforcement of these rules. This action is grounded in Section 30(2)(a) of the
Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, which allows state authorities to ban specific food items for up to one year when public health is at stake. The Punjab government published the decision on 28 August 2026.
Traditional paneer is a fresh dairy product created by coagulating milk.
Analogue versions replace dairy components with vegetable fat, starch, or other substances to mimic genuine paneer at a lower price. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India prohibits representing such substitutes as genuine dairy products. Punjab has stopped this practice entirely for the next twelve months.
Restaurants, hotels, dhabas, and caterers must conduct immediate audits of purchase records.
Retailers need to perform a thorough review of packaged goods and remove any mislabeled products immediately. Consumers are encouraged to check labels on packaged goods for a valid FSSAI license number and ask direct questions about the source of the paneer at restaurants.
