Maharashtra govt bans artificial paneer for 1 year 'Food Safety Violations'

In a major regulatory crackdown on food adulteration, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra State, has imposed an immediate, state-wide ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation, and sale of analogue or artificial (non-dairy) paneer for a period of one year.

The gazette notification published on Tuesday invokes powers under Section 30(2)(a) read with Sections 18 and 29 of the Food



Safety and Standards Act (FSS Act), 2006.

The directive, issued under the leadership of FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, signals a major crackdown on adulterated dairy products in restaurants, hotels, and catering services. 

The decision comes after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Vikram Pachpute repeatedly raised the alarming proliferation of synthetic paneer in the State Legislative Assembly.