Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Mumbai Otters Club Licence Suspended Over Analogue Paneer
A food-safety authority suspended the food licence of Mumbai’s Otters Club.
The dispute involves a product called analogue paneer.
Analogue paneer is the name used in the report for a paneer-like product that led to the FDA’s action.
The club says it bought paneer certified by FSSAI.
It also says the package called the product “proprietary paneer,” not analogue paneer.
Because of this disagreement, the club plans to appeal.
The action was part of a larger food-safety inspection campaign in Maharashtra.
During that campaign, officials inspected 65 food businesses and suspended eight licences.
Mumbai’s Otters Club lost its food-business licence after FDA action over alleged analogue paneer.
The club said it was shocked by the suspension and maintained that its paneer was FSSAI-certified.
Otters Club said the product packaging called it “proprietary paneer,” not analogue paneer.
The club intends to appeal the FDA’s decision.
Between July 14 and August 17, Maharashtra’s FDA inspected 65 establishments, issued 50 improvement notices and suspended eight licences.
- Who
- Mumbai’s Otters Club and Maharashtra’s FDA are involved; the club says the product was FSSAI-certified.
- What
- The FDA suspended Otters Club’s food-business licence over an issue involving alleged analogue paneer.
- When
- The wider food-safety drive took place between July 14 and August 17.
- Where
- Otters Club in Mumbai, as part of inspections across Maharashtra.
- Why
- The FDA acted over the classification or sale of the paneer product; the club disputes the action and says its packaging described it as “proprietary paneer.”
Food Safety Administration
Otters Club Management
Product classification
Food Safety Administration
The FDA’s action treated the product as analogue paneer, prompting the licence suspension.
Otters Club Management
The club said the packaging identified the product as “proprietary paneer,” rather than analogue paneer.
Product certification
Food Safety Administration
The FDA suspended the licence in connection with the paneer issue.
Otters Club Management
The club claimed the paneer it purchased was FSSAI-certified.
Next steps
Food Safety Administration
The suspension was part of the FDA’s broader food-safety enforcement drive in Maharashtra.
Otters Club Management
The club said it was shocked by the action and intends to appeal the decision.
- Club
- Otters Club, Mumbai
- Disputed product
- Paneer described by the FDA as analogue paneer and by the club as proprietary paneer
- Club’s position
- The club says the paneer it purchased was FSSAI-certified.
- Planned response
- Otters Club intends to appeal the FDA’s decision.
- Inspections
- 65 food establishments were inspected in Maharashtra.
- Improvement notices
- 50 improvement notices were issued.
- Suspended licences
- Eight food-business licences were suspended.