The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the regulatory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, launched a major crackdown on improperly labeled analogue dairy products across India, including in Maharashtra. The move aims to address misleading practices where products resembling dairy items—like paneer made with vegetable oil and starch—are sold without proper labeling. FSSAI has opened a public consultation to strengthen regulations and protect consumer interests.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has initiated a strict enforcement campaign to tackle the sale of analogue dairy products that are improperly labeled. This nationwide move, with a notable focus on Maharashtra, aims to enhance consumer protection and transparency in the dairy sector.
The crackdown targets food items such as paneer and cheese analogues that resemble real dairy products but are manufactured using plant-based substitutes like vegetable oil and starch. Though these items are not illegal, their misrepresentation as genuine dairy products violates labeling norms and misleads consumers.
FSSAI has initiated a public consultation process to revise and strengthen regulations related to analogue products. In an official note, the authority highlighted widespread media reports that reveal such products are being sold as traditional dairy items without proper labeling. The FSSAI document emphasizes that “analogue in dairy context” must not be presented as a dairy product unless clearly labeled.
Key recommendations from the authority include banning sales of unlabelled analogue products, requiring clear labeling even on restaurant menus, and limiting the sale of such products in bulk packaging smaller than 500 grams. Additionally, repeat offenders may face denial of registration.
To support public participation, FSSAI urges consumers to report mislabeled food items using the agency’s mobile application. The move is part of a broader effort to ensure food safety standards are upheld in line with evolving consumer habits and market trends.
This campaign is expected to tighten compliance within India’s rapidly growing food processing sector and send a strong message against deceptive marketing practices.
