India could consider a nationwide ban on analogue paneer if states agree to the proposal at a meeting scheduled for September 24, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) chief Rajit Punhani told in an interview with NDTV. Scroll down to know more.
Analogue Paneer To Face Nationwide Ban
According to Punhani, eight states have already banned the sale of analogue paneer, including Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka. He said the regulator will seek feedback from all states before deciding whether the restriction should be extended across the country. Talking about the same, he said once all the states give us feedback, and if there’s a consensus, then the authorities will also ban analogue paneer across the country.
Analogue paneer is a substitute for traditional paneer in which some or all milk ingredients are replaced with alternatives such as vegetable oils, starches and emulsifiers. Unlike conventional paneer, which is made from milk, analogue paneer uses non-dairy ingredients as part of its composition. Punhani also stated that such dairy substitutes are legally sold in several countries. However, some Indian states have argued that consumers should have access to milk-based paneer, given the importance of paneer as a source of food and protein in the country. For now, there is no nationwide ban. Any such move will depend on the outcome of the September 24 consultation and the feedback received from states.
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More Than 5,000 Food Licences Suspended
The proposed consultation comes as food-safety authorities step up inspections of restaurants and manufacturers, including businesses dealing with packaged foods and spices. Punhani said compliance with food-safety regulations remains low, although the situation has been improving as state governments increase inspections. More than one lakh notices have reportedly been issued in recent months, while around 5,000 food licences have been suspended.
The FSSAI chief also said more than 600 people had been arrested and nearly 1,900 convictions secured during enforcement drives. Penalties were imposed in around 33,000 cases. However, Punhani clarified that these figures do not mean every business inspected was found violating food-safety rules. Businesses where no violations are detected generally receive less attention than cases where breaches are found.
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He said the percentage of violations is gradually declining as India develops a stronger food-safety compliance system. Additionally, Punhani also said the proposed front-of-pack warning labels for foods high in sugar, salt or fat are likely to take time to implement as FSSAI still has to complete the regulatory process.
What are your thoughts about this?
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
FAQs
Why is analogue paneer not banned?
Analogue paneer is actually banned or restricted in multiple Indian states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.
Is analogue paneer safe to eat?
Analogue paneer is generally considered bad for your health and nutrition compared to real dairy paneer.
Is amul paneer real or analogue?
Amul paneer is real, milk-based dairy paneer and not an analogue or synthetic product.
