Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration has issued a directive requiring restaurants and eateries to inform customers whether the paneer used in their dishes is genuine or a substitute. Effective from March 20, this initiative aims to enhance transparency and prevent misleading practices, as many establishments have reportedly served paneer dishes made with non-dairy substitutes without proper disclosure. Under the new rules, all food businesses must clearly label such substitutes, often referred to as cheese analogues, on menus, bills, and display boards. The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India has expressed support for the directive, engaging with regulators to ensure compliance. They have advised their members to accurately label cheese analogues and avoid misrepresenting these products as paneer. The FDA has also conducted seminars to educate industry stakeholders on the differences between genuine paneer and substitutes, emphasizing the importance of consistent labeling across all forms of customer communication.