Ahmedabad, Aug 6 (PTI) Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Thursday said the state government will soon constitute a task force to enforce the ban on analogue paneer, cheese and butter, warning that violators could also face closure of their establishments.
Addressing reporters in Gandhinagar, Sanghavi said the decision follows Wednesday’s notification issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, prohibiting “unstandardised” analogue dairy products across the state.
Analogue paneer is a non-dairy substitute made using vegetable oils, starches, emulsifiers and other additives instead of milk fat. It is cheaper to produce than conventional paneer and generally contains lower protein levels.
He said Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has directed all departments to ensure effective implementation of the ban across Gujarat.
“The chief minister has made it clear that there will be zero tolerance towards food adulteration, including analogue paneer,” Sanghavi said.
He said a dedicated task force comprising officials from multiple departments will be announced shortly to ensure strict implementation of the notification.
“Meetings are underway at the highest level regarding the formation of this task force. It will be officially announced soon and will seriously enforce these measures,” he said.
Sanghavi said merely imposing monetary penalties on those selling adulterated food products would no longer be enough.
“Our task force will take strict measures, including the sealing of shops. We see such people as serious offenders and they will pay the price for playing with the health of people,” he told reporters.
On Wednesday, the Gujarat government imposed a state-wide ban on the production, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of “unstandardised” analogue paneer, cheese and butter, citing public health concerns and the need to protect consumers as well as the state’s dairy sector.
Health Minister Praful Pansheriya had said the Food and Drugs Control Administration conducted raids over analogue paneer and similar products in the last four months and found that such products were “not fit for consumption” and lacked nutritional value.
The government said inspections and laboratory testing had detected products resembling paneer but prepared using vegetable oils and other non-dairy ingredients instead of milk, misleading consumers and affecting genuine dairy producers.
Officials said any individual or food business operator found violating the prohibition would face action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. PTI PJT PD NR
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.