The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed new rules to stop non-dairy analogue products from being manufactured, sold or marketed as “paneer”. The draft Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2026, seek to restrict the use of the term for products made from constituents not derived from milk.

The proposal is aimed primarily at preventing consumers from being misled about the nature and composition of products. Under the draft, products already licensed or registered under the “Analogue in Dairy Context” category would have to discontinue the use of “paneer” in their nomenclature, labelling and marketing.

Analogue products are designed to resemble conventional dairy foods but may use non-milk ingredients in place of milk components. The proposed change would therefore make the distinction between genuine milk-based paneer and such alternatives clearer to consumers.

FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions on the draft regulations, meaning the proposal is still under consultation and is not yet a final nationwide prohibition. The draft seeks to amend the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.

The move follows similar restrictions already introduced by several states. FSSAI’s proposed national framework would create a more uniform approach to how non-dairy products are identified and marketed as the regulator focuses on clearer food labelling and consumer information.

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