FSSAIPaneerFood SafetyIndiaBans
FSSAI Chief Rajit Punhani Signals Nationwide Ban on Analogue Paneer by September 24
Published: September 16, 2026
FSSAI chief Rajit Punhani said analogue paneer could be banned nationwide after an all-states meeting on September 24, 2026, following eight states that already outlawed it. The decision will be taken at the meeting, potentially ending the current state‑level bans.
FSSAI chief Rajit Punhani told NDTV that the authority will consider a blanket ban on analogue paneer after an all-states meeting on September 24, 2026, following eight states that already outlawed it.
The ban would replace the patchwork of state‑level prohibitions that currently cover Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and a few others, all of which have outlawed paneer made from vegetable oils, starches, emulsifiers and other additives.
In the past year, enforcement has sharpened: more than 100,000 notices issued, 5,000 licences suspended, 600 people arrested, 1,900 convictions secured and penalties imposed in roughly 33,000 cases.
The Supreme Court has also ordered a red‑hexagon warning label for foods high in sugar, salt or fat, though the final design and rollout timeline remain unclear; manufacturers will need to relabel by September 30.
The September 24 meeting will decide whether to extend the analogue paneer ban nationwide, and if consensus is reached, FSSAI will issue a nationwide notification before the next fiscal quarter.