Amritsar Intensifies Crackdown on Synthetic Paneer as Dairy Farmers Give 10-Day Ultimatum

Amritsar, September 4, 2026: The issue of synthetic and analogue paneer has intensified in Amritsar, with the Food Safety Department stepping up inspections at dairies and food establishments and collecting samples of products suspected of not meeting prescribed standards.

At the same time, dairy farmers have given the Health Department a 10-day ultimatum, demanding stronger and more consistent action against those allegedly manufacturing or selling synthetic dairy products.

Food Safety Teams Increase Inspections

Amritsar District Health Officer Dr Mandeep Singh Ratol said officials have been carrying out inspections across the city and collecting samples of suspected paneer for laboratory testing.

The samples have been sent to the State Food Laboratory, with further legal action to follow if testing establishes violations of food-safety standards.

Authorities have also stated that suspected food products can be seized or premises sealed wherever required under applicable regulations.

What Is Synthetic or Analogue Paneer?

The controversy involves analogue or non-dairy paneer, which can contain ingredients such as vegetable oils, emulsifiers, milk solids and other fats rather than being made entirely from conventional dairy milk.

Punjab has already imposed a one-year ban on the manufacture, processing, preparation, packing, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of analogue paneer when such products are represented or marketed as “paneer.”

The state order covers descriptions such as “Analogue Paneer,” “Non-Dairy Paneer,” “Vegan Paneer” and “Synthetic Paneer” when these products are misrepresented as genuine paneer.

Dairy Farmers Raise Alarm

The crackdown has also been welcomed by sections of the dairy-farming community.

Karamjit Singh Nangli, Amritsar district president of Bharatiya Kisan Ekta Sidhupur, has alleged that synthetic milk and dairy products are hurting farmers who invest in genuine milk production.

Farmers argue that cheaper synthetic products can distort the market and make it difficult for genuine dairy producers to compete.

10-Day Ultimatum to Health Department

Farmers have now asked the Health Department to take stronger action within 10 days against alleged manufacturers and sellers of synthetic dairy products.

According to reports, Nangli warned that failure to take effective action could lead the organisation to stage a permanent protest outside the District Health Officer’s office.

The ultimatum adds pressure on authorities to move quickly from inspections and sampling to enforcement wherever violations are confirmed.

Lab Reports Will Decide Further Action

Officials have stressed that the products being tested should not automatically be labelled “fake” or unsafe until laboratory results establish whether they violate food-safety requirements.

The next major step will therefore be the State Food Laboratory reports. These findings will determine whether prosecution, seizure or other regulatory action is warranted.

Consumers Advised to Stay Alert

The Health Department has appealed to consumers to be cautious while purchasing milk, paneer, khoya and sweets, particularly during periods of high festive demand.

Consumers have been advised to purchase dairy products from reliable and licensed establishments and report suspicious products or outlets to the Food Safety Department.

Bigger Battle for Punjab’s Dairy Sector

The Amritsar controversy comes against a wider backdrop of concern over spurious milk and dairy products in Punjab.

Earlier this year, dairy farmers in Amritsar had protested against what they described as the spread of spurious milk, synthetic dairy products and adulterated khoya, saying the trend was damaging the economics of genuine dairy farming.

The latest enforcement drive could therefore have implications beyond consumer protection, potentially affecting the livelihoods of genuine milk producers.

Key Highlights
Amritsar Food Safety teams have intensified inspections against suspected synthetic/analogue paneer.
Several samples have been collected and sent to the State Food Laboratory.
Dairy farmers have issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Health Department.
Farmers are demanding stronger action against alleged manufacturers and sellers.
Punjab has imposed a one-year ban on analogue paneer when marketed as genuine paneer.
Final action against specific products will depend on laboratory findings and the applicable law.
Consumers have been advised to buy dairy products from reliable sources.