Key Update

The health department of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has intensified its crackdown on the sale of “analogue paneer” after discovering that several restaurants and hotels in Ahmedabad were serving it as regular milk paneer. Over the past three months, officials seized 1,415 kg of suspected analogue paneer during inspections across the city. The department tested paneer samples collected from restaurants, hotels, and food units and found 50 samples substandard. Among them, 27 samples contained vegetable fat instead of milk fat.

Officials said some food businesses deliberately sold analogue paneer as regular paneer without informing customers. Under food safety regulations, restaurants serving analogue paneer must clearly mention it on their menus.

Health Department Conducts Raids Across Ahmedabad

Between February 1 and February 22, the health department collected paneer samples from different parts of Ahmedabad. Officials declared 10 samples from restaurants and food units substandard after detecting vegetable fat and low milk fat content. The inspection drive covered several areas, including Nikol, Thakkarbapanagar, Bapunagar, Navrangpura, Vejalpur, Satellite, Jodhpur, Naroda, Anandnagar Road, and Amraiwadi.

Officials also tracked the supply sources linked to these outlets. Based on the investigation, teams raided dairies on Sola Road, Vejalpur, and Naroda and seized 173 kg of paneer stock. Authorities fined the food businesses involved between Rs 7,000 and Rs 10,000 for violating food safety norms.

Authorities Warn Restaurants Against Misleading Customers

Officials clarified that the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, allows the sale of analogue paneer. However, businesses cannot market or serve it as regular paneer. Authorities warned restaurants and food units to clearly disclose the use of analogue paneer on menus and labels. Officials said they would take legal action against businesses that fail to provide proper disclosure. The department has also started awareness campaigns to help consumers identify substandard paneer and avoid misleading food products.

Source: The Times of India