New Delhi, August 14: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concern regarding “analog paneer,” a product marketed as an alternative to traditional paneer made from milk. A bench led by NHRC member Priyank Kanungo has requested detailed information on the regulatory, nutritional, and food safety aspects related to its production, licensing, sale, and consumption.
The NHRC has issued a notice to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) along with all states and union territories, directing them to submit an action taken report within two weeks.
The commission has inquired about the current regulatory status of analog paneer and the standards applicable to its composition. They have also sought clarification on its nutritional value, potential health impacts, food safety standards, and testing methodologies.
The bench raised a critical question: if a product’s composition significantly differs from traditional milk-based paneer, what is the regulatory and nutritional basis for allowing it to be marketed as a paneer alternative? The NHRC has requested information on scientific testing methods that distinguish between milk-based paneer and products made from vegetable oils or fats and other non-dairy components, including the role and relevance of beta-sitosterol.
The commission has asked chief secretaries of states and union territories to provide details on the manufacturing, supply, sale, and serving of analog paneer in food establishments. They have requested information on inspections, sampling, reported violations, and enforcement actions taken.
The NHRC has also emphasized the importance of consumer rights to information. The bench wants to know if consumers are being provided with clear and adequate information about the identification, actual composition, and nutritional characteristics of such products, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding purchase and consumption.
This issue came to the NHRC’s attention based on a complaint from the Advanced Study Institute of Asia (ASIA), which included a report titled “Analog Paneer in India: A Food-Systems Threat to Health Equity.” The NHRC has recognized the need for a thorough investigation into the issues raised in the report and complaint.
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