The Maharashtra government has launched a tough regulatory regime against non-dairy products as "paneer" in addition to putting strict penalties on companies who do not comply with food safety rules.
Non-dairy products sold under the name of “paneer” will be subject to up to six months in prison and up to Rs 1 lakh under the new regulations.
The measure is supposed to help protect consumers from misleading food labels and ensure that products sold as paneer are made exclusively from milk. People also said the food safety officials are seeing more and more plant-based or synthetic alternatives and not dairy paneer being marketed as dairy paneer and at times with no clear labeling, but often with no clear label to show they are made from milk.
Paneer is one of India’s most popular dairy products and is widely used in households, restaurants, hotels and catering services.
Food safety experts say consumers need to know exactly what they are buying. Any soy, almonds, peas or other plant-based product needs to be labeled as non-dairy and not just “paneer.”
The decision is consistent with existing food safety regulations that require accurate product descriptions and prohibit misleading advertisements or labels, officials said. Companies looking to sell plant-based alternatives would have to use names such as "vegan paneer alternative" or "plant-based protein cubes," not paneer.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will conduct inspections of food manufacturing units, supermarkets, grocery stores, restaurants, hotels and will expand its inspections in order to ensure compliance.
Samples will also be collected for laboratory testing where necessary. Those who violate the rules may face prosecution according to relevant food safety laws.
Consumer rights groups are excited that it has raised the transparency of the food industry. Many shoppers want to know if they’re buying dairy-based products or plant-based substitutes and are in fact not just in agreement with the food industry but also based on their dietary preferences, allergies or religious beliefs.
But some manufacturers of vegan and plant-based foods have expressed concerns that the rule could affect product marketing and consumer awareness.
Industry representatives say alternative dairy products are becoming more and more prevalent and that businesses should be allowed to market them with appropriate descriptors rather than face harsh penalties.
Food experts say it will only encourage companies to do better labeling and that consumers can be better informed about the decision-making process. Restaurants and food delivery platforms will need to update menus and product descriptions for businesses to match with the changes.
Food companies must review their packaging, menus and promotional materials, and product labels in order to comply with the new regulation, they said. Consumers also need to report misleading food labels or suspected violations to the relevant authorities.
The Maharashtra government’s move to enforce food safety and consumer protection standards and integrity in food labeling across the state also demonstrates the commitment to food safety and food labeling transparency.
