Key Update

The food department of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has found that several restaurants and food units in Ahmedabad served analogue (non-dairy) paneer while presenting it as regular milk paneer, without informing customers. Officials discovered that eateries used paneer made with vegetable fat and lower milk content but failed to disclose this on their menus.

Legal — But Must Be Declared

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, allows the use of analogue paneer. However, businesses must clearly label it. Selling it as milk paneer without disclosure amounts to misleading consumers.

Citywide Inspection Drive

Between February 1 and 22, AMC inspected 1,083 restaurants, hotels, and food establishments and issued notices to 432 units. The officials:

• Destroyed 823 kg of inedible food
• Discarded 878 litres of inedible liquid
• Collected 495 food samples, including 110 dairy samples

Laboratory tests found 10 paneer samples from 10 different establishments to be substandard due to high vegetable fat content.

Fines and Seizures

Authorities fined the defaulting units between ₹7,000 and ₹10,000. They also traced the supply chain and seized 173 kg of paneer during raids at three dairy units — in Sola Road, Vejalpur, and Naroda.

More Checks Ahead

AMC has warned that inspections will continue. Officials will examine cold drinks, snacks, ice cream, lassi, dry fruits, dairy products, bakery items, edible oils, prepared foods, and raw materials. An AMC official said businesses can use analogue paneer — but must clearly mention it on menus. Any violation will attract action under regulations enforced by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the GPMC Act.

Source: The Times of India