Full ban on analog paneer, cheese and butter in Gujarat
Gandhinagar: Keeping public health and consumer interests in mind, the Gujarat government has imposed a complete ban across the state on the production, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of non-standard analog (fake) paneer, cheese and butter. Health Minister Praful Panseria announced this major decision.
Investigations and laboratory tests conducted over the past several months by the state’s Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) found that in many places, fake products made from vegetable oil, starch and other non-dairy ingredients were being sold and used in the name of real milk-based paneer, cheese or butter. These products are nutritionally inferior and mislead consumers.
Minister Panseria said that Gujarat is the country’s leading dairy state. When consumers buy paneer, they expect a genuine product made from pure milk. Fake products not only pose a health risk but also harm genuine dairy farmers. Therefore, the government has banned these products across the entire state with immediate effect.
Any person or food business operator (hotels, restaurants, caterers, traders, etc.) who violates this ban will face strict legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The government has appealed to all concerned parties to use and sell only genuine dairy products that meet the prescribed standards.
This ban may lead to a slight increase in the prices of paneer-based dishes in restaurants and hotels, but the safety of citizens’ health remains the priority!