FSSAI proposes restricting ‘Paneer’ tag for non-milk products
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The food regulator has proposed an amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, relating to “paneer made of constituents not derived from milk”.
Non-milk products may be forced to give up ‘Paneer’
Products licensed or registered under the ‘Analogue in Dairy Context’ category would be prevented from using the term ‘Paneer’ in their product names, labels and advertising if the proposed amendment is ratified.
FSSAI said the move is to ensure that the name and presentation of a food product reflect its actual nature and composition. The regulator said this would allow consumers to make an informed choice.
In effect, products made without milk could no longer claim to be paneer under the proposed rules. The change could require companies selling such products to review their product names, labels and promotional material.
However, FSSAI has not imposed the restriction yet. The proposal has been issued as a draft and the regulator has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and members of the public.
60-day window for objections
The draft regulations will be considered after 60 days from the date copies of the Official Gazette containing the notification are made available to the public.
Objections and suggestions can be sent to the Chief Executive Officer of FSSAI at its New Delhi office or through the email address specified in the notification.
The proposed amendment has been issued with the previous approval of the Central Government under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations were first notified in 2011 and have been amended from time to time.
The proposal is currently at the consultation stage. Any restriction on the use of ‘Paneer’ for non-milk products will take effect only after the draft is finalised and notified.