Report

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released a consultation paper inviting public comments on compliance provisions for dairy analogues—products resembling dairy but made with non-milk ingredients. The move addresses concerns over misleading labelling and consumer deception.

Key Highlights:

• Background: FSSAI aims to protect consumers from being misled by products that resemble dairy but are made with non-milk ingredients. The authority previously defined labelling norms for dairy analogues, and after a stakeholder meeting in April 2025 and additional consultations in the HoReCa sector, they now seek further input.

• Regulatory Framework: FSSAI defines dairy analogues as products where non-milk ingredients replace milk components, mimicking dairy’s appearance and function.

  • Labelling norms include clear ingredient declarations (e.g., “Contains [non-dairy ingredient]”).

  • Usage of dairy terms like “milk” or “cheese” is prohibited for non-dairy products.

• Key Proposals for Feedback:

  • Terminology: Should prefixes like “Non-dairy” or “Analogue” be mandatory before dairy terms?

  • Ingredient Declaration: Clear labelling, e.g., “Analogue of Cheese” in composite foods like pizzas.

  • HoReCa Compliance: Food outlets must disclose if dairy analogues are used (e.g., “Non-dairy Paneer” on menus).

  • Loose Sale Ban: Dairy analogues must be sold in pre-packaged formats of at least 500 grams with proper labels.

  • Licensing Restrictions: Small-scale manufacturers (under ₹12 lakh turnover) should not be allowed to register for dairy analogue products; only State or Central licensing will be permitted.

Public Participation: FSSAI invites feedback from stakeholders and the public. Comments can be submitted via Google Form within 60 days of the release date. This initiative aims to ensure consumer protection, transparency, and accurate labelling in the growing dairy analogue market.

Source: FoodTechBiz