The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a directive requiring restaurants, caterers, and food vendors to disclose the use of analogue paneer, a product made from non-dairy ingredients that resembles real paneer. This decision, signed by Shridhar Dube-Patil, the Food Safety Commissioner, has a compliance deadline of April 30. Dr. Surendra Nath Battula, a retired principal scientist from the National Dairy Research Institute in Bangalore, explained that genuine paneer is defined by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as a product made from milk using specific acidulants. In contrast, analogue paneer is produced using vegetable oils, starches, and plant proteins, making it a cheaper alternative that lacks the nutritional value of real paneer. The FSSAI prohibits the use of the term 'paneer' for products that do not meet its standards, similar to how 'milk' cannot refer to plant-based alternatives. The unorganised market primarily produces analogue paneer, raising significant concerns about food safety and quality. The FDA's move to mandate disclosure is aimed at protecting consumers, particularly in the hotel and restaurant sectors where the use of such products is prevalent. Dr. Battula advocates for clearer labeling and standards to help consumers identify genuine paneer, emphasizing the health risks associated with consuming unregulated analogue products.