In a significant move aimed at tackling food adulteration, the Maharashtra government has imposed a complete ban on the manufacture and sale of analogue, or non-dairy, paneer. The decision makes Maharashtra the second state in the country, after Chhattisgarh, to prohibit such products.

An order issued by Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe bars all activities related to analogue paneer, including its production, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, wholesale and retail sale anywhere in the state.

Authorities have warned that violations of the ban could invite strict punishment under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Depending on the seriousness of the offence, those found guilty may face up to six months in prison and fines of up to ₹1 lakh. In cases where unsafe food consumption results in death, the law provides for life imprisonment along with a minimum penalty of ₹10 lakh.

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also cautioned businesses against marketing non-dairy paneer as traditional dairy paneer. Officials said passing off analogue products as genuine paneer would amount to misleading consumers and could be treated as an unfair trade practice.

Analogue paneer is typically manufactured using vegetable oils, plant-based fats and other substitutes instead of milk fat. Although the product may resemble conventional paneer in appearance and texture, regulators have raised concerns over its sale without adequate disclosure.

Current regulations framed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) specify that authentic paneer must be produced from milk and should not contain starch, synthetic substances or non-dairy fats. While the sale of analogue paneer is permitted under central rules if properly labelled, Maharashtra has now chosen to prohibit the product altogether.

The demand for stricter action had also been raised in the Maharashtra Assembly last year, with legislators seeking a complete ban on such products. The latest order formally prohibits all major commercial activities involving analogue paneer in the state.

The decision comes amid an intensified campaign against adulterated dairy products. Since May, enforcement agencies have been conducting inspections and raids on units suspected of manufacturing synthetic milk and fake paneer.

In one such operation in Pune's Manjari Khurd area, officials seized nearly 1,400 kilograms of alleged counterfeit paneer. The raid also led to the confiscation of large quantities of skimmed milk powder, palm oil, glycerol monostearate powder and other materials allegedly used in the manufacturing process.

The crackdown coincides with broader food-safety inspections being carried out across Maharashtra, including checks on restaurants, hotels and food-processing establishments, several of which have faced closures and licence cancellations over hygiene violations.