Karnataka Bans Production, Sale Of Analogue Paneer For One Year
The Karnataka government has prohibited the production, storage, distribution and sale of 'analogue paneer' being sold as 'paneer' across the state for a year to safeguard public health, officials said.
Bengaluru: Keeping in mind public health, the Food Safety Division of Food Safety and Drug Administration, Karnataka, prohibited the manufacture, processing, packing storage, distribution, transportation, wholesale and retail use, display for sale and supply of Analogue/non-dairy Paneer being sold in the name of “Paneer” in the State for a year. A Government notification in this regard has been issued on August 17.
A release from the office of the Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, Bengaluru stated that several Paneer samples were tested in Karnataka and none of the tested samples had no adulteration.
However, there is no adulteration of Paneer with vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other dairy ingredients and the prohibition ordered is in the interest of public health. No food business operator shall use, store, supply or sell Analogue / non-dairy Paneer in the preparation or manufacture of any food product or food item.
The prohibition applies only to dairy analogue products for which specific quality standards have not been prescribed or standardised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Paneer is a standardised food product prepared from milk. Milk fat is a key ingredient of Paneer and the replacement of milk fat with or use of vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other non-dairy ingredients in place of milk components are not permitted.