Gujarat Begins Statewide Inspections to Enforce Analogue Paneer Ban

The Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) has launched a statewide inspection and sampling drive following the state government’s ban on the production, storage and sale of analogue paneer.

As part of the enforcement campaign, officials carried out inspections across several districts, including a raid at Shreeji Dairy near Ankur Cross Roads in Ahmedabad, where paneer samples were collected for laboratory analysis.

Statewide inspections underway

The drive is being conducted under the supervision of Designated Food Officer Tejas Shah, with multiple inspection teams deployed across Gujarat.

Officials are inspecting dairies, food outlets, wholesalers and distributors while collecting paneer samples for chemical testing.

Laboratory testing to identify analogue paneer

Food Safety Officer Rajeshwar Pawar said the collected samples would be sent to accredited laboratories to determine whether they contain analogue paneer.

Officials said analogue paneer cannot be reliably identified through appearance alone, and only laboratory-based chemical analysis can confirm whether a product is genuine dairy paneer or an analogue substitute.

Legal action against violators

The FDCA said strict legal action would be taken against manufacturers or sellers if any sample is found to contain prohibited analogue paneer.

Action will be initiated under the relevant government notification and provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Officials warn of health concerns

The department also cautioned consumers about the potential health risks associated with prolonged consumption of analogue paneer, which is manufactured using edible fats and oils instead of milk.

Officials said the inspection and sampling campaign will continue across Gujarat to ensure compliance with the ban and prevent the production, storage and sale of prohibited analogue paneer.

Vadodara launches surprise inspection drive

Following the state government’s ban on analogue dairy products, the Food Branch of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) launched a citywide enforcement drive on Thursday.

Four inspection teams conducted surprise checks across different parts of Vadodara to determine whether analogue paneer, cheese or butter made from vegetable oils was being manufactured, stored or sold.

Inspections at dairy units and food businesses

As part of the drive, officials inspected Gayatri Foods at Sardar Estate on Ajwa Road, which is reportedly the only unit in Vadodara licensed to manufacture analogue cheese.

During the inspection, officials found that the production of analogue cheese had been stopped. The unit’s management informed officials that it was currently producing only tofu cheese made from soybean milk.

Food Branch teams also inspected traders, distributors and sellers dealing in dairy products across the city.

The VMC said legal action would be taken against any manufacturer or seller found dealing in prohibited analogue dairy products under the applicable provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.