Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The district administration, in coordination with the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), has issued a stern warning to restaurants, hotels, eateries, and other food establishments regarding the mandatory classification of paneer and cheese analogue on their menus. This move aims to protect consumer interests by ensuring transparency in food labeling.
Strict Action for Non-Compliance
District Collector Vinay Gowda GC has directed the FDA to take stringent action against any hotel or food business operator that fails to comply with the regulations that came into effect on May 1. "Paneer and cheese analogue are two distinct food products, each possessing a unique nutritional value. To ensure that consumers have a clear understanding of this distinction, it has been made mandatory to mention this on menu cards explicitly," he stated.
New Regulations for Food Business Operators
Under the latest regulations, all food business operators are required to explicitly mention the use of cheese analogues on their establishment's menu cards, electronic displays, and other visible locations. This includes restaurants, hotels, caterers, fast-food vendors, and similar establishments that often use cheese analogue instead of real paneer in food preparation.
FDA Commissioner Shridhar Dube Patil emphasized the fundamental differences between the two products. "Paneer and cheese analogue are two fundamentally different substances, each with its own distinct nutritional profile. Paneer is a product derived from milk, whereas a cheese analogue is manufactured using edible oils, starch, and various food additives," a release quoted him as saying.
Legal Framework
Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (and the Rules and Regulations of 2011), there is no ban on the production, sale, or use of cheese analogue. However, authorities stressed that consumers must have access to information about its ingredients to make informed decisions. In accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2020, it is mandatory for food business operators to clearly display information regarding the nutritional components of relevant food items at the point of sale.
The district administration's warning serves as a reminder to all food establishments to update their menus and displays accordingly to avoid punitive measures. Consumers are encouraged to report any violations to the FDA.
