Assam Government Takes Action Against Substandard Paneer Products

In a significant move to ensure food safety, the Assam government has imposed a statewide ban on substandard paneer products after alarming test results showed that 70% of samples did not meet quality standards. Health Minister Ashok Singhal announced strict measures against food adulteration, emphasizing the need for compliance among food business operators. The prohibition order, effective for one year, targets unauthorized dairy products falsely marketed as genuine paneer. This initiative aims to protect consumers and uphold food quality standards across the state. Read on to learn more about the implications of this order and the responsibilities placed on food service establishments.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 4, 2026, 11:08 IST

Statewide Restrictions on Paneer Products

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Guwahati, Nov 4: A significant 70% of the 60 milk-based paneer samples collected by the Food Safety Department in various urban regions of Assam over the last ten months have not met the required quality standards. This alarming finding has led the State government to enforce statewide restrictions on unauthorized and non-compliant dairy products masquerading as genuine paneer.

During a press briefing at Janata Bhawan on Tuesday, Health Minister Ashok Singhal emphasized the government's commitment to combating food adulteration and protecting consumers from misleading practices.

On October 31, the Assam Food Safety Commissionerate issued a prohibition order that bans the manufacture, processing, storage, distribution, transportation, sale, and use of such products throughout the State for a duration of one year.

This order, enacted under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, was prompted by laboratory tests revealing issues such as inadequate milk fat, excessive moisture, and the presence of starch and foreign fats in samples marketed as paneer.

The directive specifically forbids food business operators from producing, storing, distributing, transporting, or selling non-standardized, non-compliant, or unauthorized dairy analogues that are represented or advertised as authentic paneer or other standardized dairy items.

Furthermore, it clarifies that products substituting milk fat or solids with vegetable fats, oils, or other non-dairy components cannot be sold as genuine paneer unless they meet the established standards.

However, the order does not restrict dairy alternatives that are legally produced and marketed according to relevant standards, provided they are correctly identified and labeled.

According to the prohibition order, a product cannot be marketed or sold as 'paneer' solely based on its resemblance in appearance, texture, or use if it does not meet the specified standards.

The Commissionerate has mandated all food business operators involved in the production, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of paneer and other dairy products to cease any activities related to prohibited items immediately.

Operators are also required to verify the identity, composition, source, and regulatory status of procured products, maintain accurate purchase and distribution records, and present them to food safety authorities when requested.

Minister Singhal warned that any business found using counterfeit products without proper documentation would be held accountable as manufacturers of those items.

Hotels, restaurants, caterers, institutional kitchens, cloud kitchens, and other food service providers have been specifically instructed to source and utilize only legally compliant and properly labeled products.