PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA), Uttarakhand has imposed an immediate ban on the manufacturing, processing, storage, transport, distribution and sale of non-standard dairy analogues and non-milk products that mimic milk products across the State. The ban order was issued by the FDA commissioner Vinay Shankar on Friday under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.
In the order, Pandey stated that the ban was implemented after considering departmental enforcement data, laboratory analyses, risk assessments and consumer complaints regarding deception. The department found that products such as analogue Paneer, cream, butter and other dairy-like items made without milk are being sold in a manner that misleads consumers, constituting unfair trade practices that could adversely affect public health.
He stated that the prohibition will apply to all food products that are not genuine milk products, including those that use vegetable fat, vegetable oil or other non-dairy ingredients as substitutes for milk. It also covers products whose labelling, packaging or marketing creates confusion among consumers about their authenticity.
Notably, the order stated that the ban will take effect from the date of its publication in the government gazette and will remain valid for one year. Additionally, it will stay in force until the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notifies final regulations on dairy analogues or until the Food Safety commissioner issues a revised order, whichever comes first.
