Authorities in Gujarat have fined 17 food establishments a total of Rs 1,40,900 and disposed of around 615 kilograms of substandard food in a recent enforcement drive. This action is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to ensure food safety and transparency in the use of paneer and analogue paneer in various food outlets. The Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) in Gujarat issued an order on April 4 mandating food operators to clearly disclose whether they are using milk paneer or analogue paneer made from vegetable fat, starch, or other substitutes.
The FDCA order specifies that products made using substitutes should not be labeled or sold as ‘paneer’ but should be identified as ‘paneer analogue’ or ‘analogue’. Any attempt to mislead consumers or provide incorrect information will be considered a violation and face strict legal consequences. During the recent enforcement drive, a total of 347 establishments in Gujarat, including restaurants, dhabas, and food stalls, were inspected for compliance.
Several establishments, particularly in Ahmedabad, faced penalties for not displaying accurate information. The Surat Municipal Corporation and Rajkot Municipal Corporation also recorded fines of Rs 52,300 and Rs 3,600, respectively. This enforcement follows previous actions under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Between January 1 and March 31, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) collected 2,049 food samples, with 74 found to be substandard.
AMC officials stated that out of the 74 substandard samples, actions were taken against the respective Food Business Operators as per the provisions. The samples included various food categories such as paneer, milk, milk products, bakery items, sweets, namkeen, spices, and more. Additionally, during the same period, 4,294 food business units were inspected, resulting in the issuance of 1,411 notices, conducting 1,033 tests, recovering administrative charges amounting to Rs 22,42,300, and disposing of 3,081 kilograms of unsafe food.
Officials emphasized the importance of paneer quality, highlighting that out of 85 samples collected in the first quarter of 2026, 25 were found substandard primarily due to fat content issues or the use of analogue paneer instead of milk paneer. Penalties exceeding Rs three lakh were levied, and action was initiated against 12 establishments. More than 15,000 food business operators were reminded via email to clearly indicate the type of paneer used, with non-compliance leading to legal repercussions. These measures underscore the state’s commitment to safeguarding consumer interests and ensuring food safety in Gujarat.
