Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Gujarat task force to enforce ban on analogue paneer, cheese
The state of Gujarat in India made a new rule about fake dairy food.
Some companies make paneer, cheese, and butter without using milk.
Instead, they use vegetable oils, starches, and other additives.
These fake products are called "analogue" dairy products.
They are cheaper to make but have very little protein.
The government says these foods are not healthy and can trick people.
It also wants to protect farmers who make real milk products.
So the government decided to stop people from making, selling, or moving these fake products.
A special team, called a task force, will check that everyone follows the rule.
Shops that break the rule could be closed down.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi announced a task force to enforce the state-wide ban on analogue paneer, cheese and butter.
The ban follows a Wednesday notification by the Health and Family Welfare Department under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The prohibition covers production, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of "unstandardised" analogue dairy products across Gujarat.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel directed all departments to ensure effective implementation, citing "zero tolerance" towards food adulteration.
Officials said raids over the last four months found such products "not fit for consumption" and lacking nutritional value, and violators may face sealing of their establishments.
- Who
- Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Health Minister Praful Pansheriya.
- What
- The Gujarat government will form a task force to enforce a state-wide ban on unstandardised analogue paneer, cheese and butter.
- When
- The task force announcement was made on Thursday, Aug 6, a day after the ban notification was issued on Wednesday.
- Where
- Gujarat, India (announced in Gandhinagar; reported from Ahmedabad).
- Why
- Public health concerns, findings that the products were "not fit for consumption" and lacked nutritional value, and the need to protect consumers and the state's dairy sector.
- Ban imposed on
- Unstandardised analogue paneer, cheese and butter
- Scope
- Production, storage, transportation, distribution and sale statewide
- Legal basis
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
- Notification
- Issued Wednesday by the Health and Family Welfare Department
- Enforcement
- Dedicated multi-department task force; shops may be sealed
- Reason
- Products found "not fit for consumption" and lacking nutritional value in FDA raids
- Analogue paneer
- Non-dairy substitute made with vegetable oils, starches, emulsifiers and additives instead of milk fat