3 weeks ago
Gujarat bans analogue paneer, cheese, butter amid food safety concerns
Gujarat is a state in India where lots of milk is produced.
Paneer is a soft cheese that is usually made from pure milk.
Some companies were making fake paneer using vegetable oil and other non-dairy ingredients instead of milk.
Fake paneer looks similar to real paneer but has less protein and is not as nutritious.
The Gujarat government decided to ban the making, selling, storing, transporting and distributing of this fake paneer, cheese and butter.
The government said the ban will protect people's health and stop consumers from being tricked.
It also protects farmers who make real milk and dairy products.
Three Indian states now have this ban: Gujarat, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
People and businesses that break the rule will face legal action.
Gujarat became the third Indian state, after Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, to ban the production, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of non-standard analogue paneer, cheese and butter.
The ban was announced on Wednesday by the state Health and Family Welfare Department under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, citing public health concerns, food safety violations and consumer deception.
Analogue paneer is a cheaper non-dairy substitute made with vegetable oils, starches, emulsifiers and other additives instead of milk fat, and generally contains lower protein levels.
Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said the Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) had been conducting raids against analogue paneer and similar food products for the last four months.
The decision came the same day the neighbouring BJP-ruled Maharashtra announced a ban on analogue paneer, and the Gujarat government warned that violators would face strict legal action.
- Who
- Gujarat's Health and Family Welfare Department, Health Minister Praful Pansheriya, and the state Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA)
- What
- A statewide ban on the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of non-standard analogue (non-dairy) paneer, cheese and butter
- Where
- Gujarat, India, making it the third state after Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh to impose such a ban
- When
- Wednesday, the same day Maharashtra announced a similar ban
- Why
- Due to public health concerns, food safety violations, and to stop consumers being misled by non-dairy products sold as paneer and other dairy, while protecting the state's dairy sector
Key facts
- States with bans
- Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh
- Ban announced by
- Gujarat Health and Family Welfare Department
- Legal basis
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
- Products banned
- Non-standard analogue paneer, cheese and butter
- Analogue paneer ingredients
- Vegetable oils, starches, emulsifiers and other additives instead of milk fat
- Enforcement body
- Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA)
- Raids duration
- Four months of inspections before the ban
- Previous enforcement
- Over 1,000 kg of suspected analogue paneer destroyed; restaurants told to disclose cheese analogue use
Quotes
Gujarat Health and Family Welfare Department
Department of Health and Family Welfare, Gujarat
“"Taking this situation seriously, in the interest of public health and by exercising the powers conferred under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the state government is imposing a ban across the state on the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of non-standard analogue paneer, cheese and butter."”
thehansindia.com
“"Taking serious note of the situation, and in the interest of public health and consumers, the government has decided to prohibit the production, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of unstandardised analogue paneer, cheese and butter throughout the state."”
rediff.com
Sources
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