MP bans analogue paneer, CM says state will promote natural dairy products

BHOPAL: Chief minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday announced a ban on analogue paneer in Madhya Pradesh, saying the state would instead promote natural milk-based products and increase dairy production.Madhya Pradesh became the fourth state, after Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, to ban analogue paneer.“We have decided to ban analogue paneer in Madhya Pradesh. Other states in the country have also imposed restrictions on it. We have natural milk products here and we will make natural paneer. We want to build the state’s identity on the strength of these products,” Yadav told reporters.The chief minister said Madhya Pradesh was moving ahead with plans to increase milk production and would not encourage the sale of analogue paneer. “We are working towards increasing milk production. We will not promote activities like the sale of analogue paneer,” he said.Analogue paneer resembles conventional paneer but is not made entirely from milk. Milk components can be partly or completely substituted with vegetable fats, proteins and other ingredients, substantially reducing production costs.Public Health and Medical Education Minister Narendra Shivaji Patel said the decision was taken on the chief minister’s directions. He said reports had emerged that analogue paneer was being diverted to Madhya Pradesh after neighbouring states imposed restrictions on its sale.“After neighbouring states banned analogue paneer, we received reports that such products could be dumped in Madhya Pradesh. We have therefore decided to ban it in the state,” Patel said.The main concern for food safety authorities is the possibility of the cheaper substitute being passed off as genuine paneer without consumers being adequately informed about its composition. Ordinary consumers often find it difficult to distinguish between the two products.Maharashtra has prohibited the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of analogue or artificial paneer, while Chhattisgarh has restricted non-standard dairy analogue paneer, cream and butter products. Gujarat has also taken action against the manufacture and sale of such products.