Government Contemplates Regulations for Labeling 'Analogue Paneer' in Hotels and Restaurants
Unleashing Transparency in Hospitality: Revealing the Secret of Analogue Paneer
In the bustling heart of New Delhi, a game-changer is brewing. The Consumer Affairs Ministry is considering implementing guidelines that will require restaurants and hotels to reveal when they use 'analogue paneer' in the dishes they offer to customers.
Currently, food manufacturers are mandated to label analogue paneer as "non-dairy" to avoid consumer deception. However, these regulations don't extend to restaurants, creating a gap that the ministry aims to fill.
"Analogue paneer may masquerade as the real deal, but it's not the traditional paneer," Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare explained to PTI. "It's cheaper, and establishments should put consumers in the know."
It's of utmost importance, as per Ms. Khare, for places to serve to clearly distinguish between dishes containing traditional paneer and their analogue counterparts. This information should be front and center, influencing the pricing.
"No more false advertising," she asserted, "If they want to sell analogue paneer, let them label it appropriately."
Analogue paneer has gained traction in commercial kitchens due to its budget-friendly nature, costing nearly half as much as dairy-based paneer while maintaining a similar taste and texture.
Manufactured products where milk constituents are either fully or partially replaced with non-dairy ingredients, these analogue paneers mimic traditional dairy-based paneer. While traditional paneer is made by curdling fresh milk with acids, the analogue versions typically contain emulsifiers, starch, and vegetable oils.
Concerns about health have been raised regarding some manufacturers using low-quality vegetable oils and other additives in these products.
The proposed guidelines advocate for various disclosure methods such as display boards, menu card notices, or digital signage to ensure customers make informed decisions. Failure to comply with these could potentially lead to suspension of licenses, as enforced by the FDA.
To foster compliance, the FDA plans to conduct inspection raids and educational workshops to educate customers and establishments about the use of analogue paneer and the importance of transparency.
What's about to unfold promises a new era of openness and informed dining experiences in the culinary landscape of India.
(This story has not been edited by our staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Enrichment Data:Added Details: The proposed guidelines encourage establishments to incorporate various disclosure methods such as display boards, menu card notices, or digital signage to communicate the use of analogue paneer. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may lead to sanctions such as the suspension of licenses. The FDA will conduct inspection raids and educational workshops to ensure compliance and raise consumer awareness.
(Source: 1) The Economic Times, 2) Food Navigator Asia, 3) The Times of India, 4) India Today, 5) News18)
- In New Delhi, a new set of regulations is proposed, aiming to require hotels and restaurants to disclose the use of 'analogue paneer' in dishes, preventing consumer deception.
- Restaurants and hotels may employ display boards, menu card notices, or digital signage as disclosure methods for analogue paneer, as per the proposed guidelines.
- If establishments fail to comply with these regulations, they could face potential sanctions such as suspension of licenses, as enforced by the FDA.
- The FDA plans to conduct inspection raids and educational workshops to ensure compliance and raise consumer awareness about the use of analogue paneer in the food-and-drink sector, paving the way for a more transparent business and lifestyle in India.
