The Food and Drug Administration Maharashtra has issued a directive for all food business operators, including hotels, restaurants, and catering services, regarding the use of paneer or cheese substitutes.
If any product uses Paneer Analogue or Cheese Analogue instead of traditional dairy-based paneer or cheese, businesses must clearly disclose this information to consumers. This requirement falls under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations.
Where Disclosure is Mandatory
The declaration must be prominently displayed across all customer touchpoints, including:
- Menu cards
- Display boards at the premises
- Packaging labels (if applicable)
- Online food delivery platform listings
Accepted Declaration Formats
Food businesses may use clear statements such as:
- “Prepared using Paneer Analogue / Cheese Analogue”
- “Contains Paneer Analogue / Cheese Analogue”
Compliance Objective
This regulation aims to:
- Ensure transparency in food preparation
- Prevent misleading product representation
- Protect consumer awareness and rights
Failure to comply may result in regulatory action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Food businesses are advised to review their ingredient usage and update all consumer-facing disclosures accordingly to remain compliant.