Telangana bans non-dairy analogue paneer for one year

The Telangana government has imposed a one-year ban on the manufacture, processing, packing, storage, distribution, transportation, and sale of non-dairy or artificial analogue paneer across the state. Effective from September 10, 2026, the order was issued by the Commissioner of Food Safety under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, citing the need to protect public health.

The ban specifically targets artificial varieties marketed as paneer. It does not affect genuine dairy paneer or other products that are legally standardized and manufactured under the prescribed rules of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

The decision follows enforcement drives by the Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) and the Hyderabad City Police’s H-FAST unit. During recent inspections of dairy and retail units, officials discovered the use of palm oil and glycerol monostearate to create synthetic analogues. Authorities seized approximately one tonne of palm oil, 476 kg of glycerol monostearate, and various other ingredients during these operations.