NHRC seeks response from states, FSSAI over sale of ‘analogue paneer’

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to all states and Union Territories as well as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) over concerns surrounding the manufacture, sale and consumption of "analogue paneer".

The human rights body has sought clarity on the nutritional composition of the product, its labelling and the regulatory framework governing its sale amid concerns that consumers may find it difficult to distinguish it from conventional milk-based paneer.

Analogue paneer is an imitation product in which some or all dairy ingredients may be substituted with non-milk components.

The NHRC's intervention followed a representation submitted on August 11 by the Centre for Health Equity at the Advanced Study Institute of Asia. The representation raised concerns over the production, supply, use, testing, labelling and regulatory oversight of dairy analogues.

NHRC seeks clarity

In proceedings dated August 13, the Commission said the FSSAI should clarify the nutritional composition and value of analogue paneer, including its protein and fat content and other relevant nutritional parameters.

It also sought to know whether consumers were being adequately informed about these details while purchasing or consuming such products.

The Commission raised questions over why the manufacture and sale of analogue paneer continued to be permitted, particularly when three states have reportedly introduced restrictions or prohibitions on the product.

It also sought details about the nutritional or consumer benefits that justified allowing such products to remain in the market.

The complaint before the NHRC raised wider concerns involving consumer protection, food safety and transparency in product nomenclature and labelling. It also flagged possible differences in enforcement practices among states and Union Territories.

Ingredients under lens

The Commission took note of a report titled "Analogue Paneer in India: A Food-Systems Threat to Health Equity", submitted along with the representation.

According to the report cited in the proceedings, dairy analogues may use non-milk ingredients to replace some or all of the components normally derived from milk.

Analogue paneer may contain ingredients such as vegetable oils or fats, starch, milk solids, plant proteins, stabilisers, emulsifiers and artificial flavours. As a result, its nutritional profile can differ from that of traditional paneer.

Questions have also been raised over the use of the word "paneer" for such products and whether existing labelling requirements provide consumers with enough information to clearly differentiate between conventional dairy paneer and its analogue versions.

The NHRC has sought responses from the authorities concerned as it examines whether the existing regulatory and enforcement mechanisms adequately protect consumers and ensure transparency in the sale of such products.