The Food & Drugs Control Administration, Gujarat on August 05, 2026, issued Prohibition Order on Non-Standardized Dairy Analogue Products (Paneer, Cream, Butter Imitations) in Gujarat.
The order stems from findings by Gujarat's Food Safety Officers, who drew paneer samples from multiple districts under Section 47 of the FSS Act; laboratory testing revealed several samples were unsafe or sub-standard, containing vegetable/foreign fats, excess moisture, starch, and other unauthorized substances — in direct violation of Regulation 2.1.16 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, which strictly defines paneer as a dairy-derived product and prohibits non-dairy or foreign fat content.
Citing the statutory duty of Food Business Operators (FBOs) under Section 26 to ensure food safety at all stages of production and sale, along with the Commissioner's mandate under Section 18(1) to protect public health and prevent risks, the order prohibits — across the entire state of Gujarat — the manufacture, processing, packing, storage, transport, distribution, sale, or use in food service of non-standardized "dairy context Analogues." This specifically targets products imitating paneer, cream, butter, or other dairy items, or those creating a false impression of being genuine dairy products. The prohibition covers products that aren't genuine dairy items, that substitute vegetable fat/oil or other non-dairy ingredients for milk or milk solids, or that use misleading labelling, packaging, or advertising. Standardized products like Frozen Desserts, Processed Cheese, and Mixed Fat Spreads are explicitly excluded from this ban.
All FBOs are required to immediately halt sales of such dairy analogues, maintain detailed procurement, manufacturing, and distribution records, and comply with both Regulation 2.1.16 and the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. Hotels, restaurants, caterers, cloud kitchens, and other food service establishments must use only genuine, standardized dairy products and avoid misleading consumers. Non-compliance will attract penalties under Sections 50, 51, 52, 55, and 59 of the FSS Act, along with other applicable provisions depending on the severity of the violation.
The order takes effect from its date of publication in the Official Gazette and will remain in force for one year, or until FSSAI notifies final regulatory standards for such products, or until the order is revoked, amended, or superseded by the Commissioner — whichever occurs first. Compliance is mandatory for all concerned authorities and FBOs operating within Gujarat.
[Notification No. CFDC/01/2026/MIS/e-file/141/2025/3242/I-Food]
