FSSAI draft: only milk-derived products may be called ‘Paneer’; analogue products to drop the term from name, label and marketing
FSSAI has proposed a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 to restrict the manufacture and sale of analogue products as “Paneer”. This is a draft: objections and suggestions are invited, and it will be taken up after 60 days from the date the Gazette copies are made available to the public.
Key facts
- In force
- Draft only — to be considered after 60 days from the date Gazette copies are made available to the public
- Who it affects
- Food businesses licensed or registered under the ‘Analogue in Dairy Context’ category, dairy and paneer manufacturers, sellers and marketers of analogue products
- What it is
- Comments invited
- Section
- FSSAI
- Published
- 24 September 2026
In 30 seconds
- The draft is titled the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2026.
- It seeks to insert a new clause under Regulation 2.1.1 covering “paneer made of constituents not derived from milk”.
- Products already licensed or registered under the ‘Analogue in Dairy Context’ category would have to stop using the term “Paneer” in their nomenclature, labelling or marketing.
- It is a draft, not a rule in force. It will be taken into consideration after the expiry of 60 days from the date on which copies of the Official Gazette containing the notification are made available to the public.
- Objections or suggestions go to the Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI, FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi – 110002, or to the email address given in the notification.
हिंदी में सार
FSSAI ने Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales Regulations, 2011 में संशोधन का मसौदा जारी किया है, जिसके अनुसार दूध से न बने (analogue) उत्पादों के नाम, लेबल या मार्केटिंग में “पनीर” शब्द का इस्तेमाल बंद करना होगा। यह अभी सिर्फ़ मसौदा है, लागू नियम नहीं। राजपत्र की प्रतियाँ जनता को उपलब्ध होने की तारीख़ से 60 दिन बाद इस पर विचार होगा; आपत्तियाँ और सुझाव CEO, FSSAI, FDA भवन, कोटला रोड, नई दिल्ली को भेजे जा सकते हैं।
What FSSAI has proposed
According to a release of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare dated 24 September 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. The stated purpose is to restrict the manufacture and sale of analogue products as “Paneer” and to prevent consumers from being misled about the nature and composition of such products.
The proposed Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2026 seek to insert a new clause under Regulation 2.1.1 of the existing regulations, specifically covering “paneer made of constituents not derived from milk”.
What would change for analogue products
Under the proposed amendment, products already licensed or registered under the ‘Analogue in Dairy Context’ category would be required to discontinue the use of the term “Paneer” in their nomenclature, labelling or marketing.
The release says the aim is that the nomenclature and presentation of food products accurately reflect their nature and composition, so that consumers can make informed choices.
It is a draft — how to respond
| Point | What the release says |
|---|---|
| Status | Draft regulation; objections and suggestions invited from stakeholders and members of the public |
| When it will be considered | After the expiry of 60 days from the date on which copies of the Official Gazette containing the notification are made available to the public |
| Where to send | The Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi – 110002, or the email address specified in the notification |
| Legal basis | Issued by FSSAI with the previous approval of the Central Government under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 |
The release does not print the date of the Gazette publication, so the last date for comments cannot be worked out from the release alone. The Gazette copy is linked in the release.
What food businesses should do
Nothing changes until the regulations are finalised. A business that holds a licence or registration under the ‘Analogue in Dairy Context’ category and uses the word “Paneer” in a product name, on a label or in marketing should read the Gazette notification, check the date from which the 60 days run, and send its objections or suggestions to the CEO, FSSAI within that time.
Questions and answers
Has FSSAI banned the use of the word “Paneer” for non-milk products?
Not yet. FSSAI has proposed a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. It has invited objections and suggestions, and the draft will be taken into consideration after the 60-day period mentioned in the release.
What does the draft propose?
It seeks to insert a new clause under Regulation 2.1.1 covering “paneer made of constituents not derived from milk”. Products already licensed or registered under the ‘Analogue in Dairy Context’ category would have to discontinue the term “Paneer” in their nomenclature, labelling or marketing.
What is the time for sending comments?
The draft will be taken into consideration after the expiry of 60 days from the date on which copies of the Official Gazette containing the notification are made available to the public. The release does not print that date.
Where should objections or suggestions be sent?
To the Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI, FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi – 110002, or through the email address specified in the notification.
Published 24 September 2026. Updated 6 October 2026. This report is for general information and is not professional advice. Read the source document before acting on it.