Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Hotels, restaurants, dhabas, fast-food outlets, sweet shops and caterers in Chandigarh will now have to clearly disclose the type of paneer or paneer-like product used in their food items.
The Food Safety Administration, Health Department, has directed all food business operators to mention the type of paneer used in their dishes on menu cards or rate lists. The information must also be displayed prominently on information boards at their premises.
The move aims to promote transparency, prevent food adulteration and ensure that consumers know what type of dairy product is being served to them.
According to the Food Safety Administration, various products are available in the market, including standard paneer, medium-fat paneer, low-fat paneer and dairy analogues. These products differ in their composition and nutritional characteristics.
The administration has particularly stressed transparency regarding dairy analogues made using vegetable fat, so that such products are not served or marketed to consumers as paneer.
Food establishments have also been instructed to purchase paneer, milk and other raw materials only from FSSAI-licensed or registered suppliers, manufacturers and distributors.
Businesses must preserve purchase bills and invoices containing details such as the batch number, date of manufacture, expiry or use-by date and the supplier's FSSAI licence number. These records must be produced before food safety officials during inspections when required.
The Food Safety Administration has also urged consumers to report the manufacture, sale or supply of substandard or unsafe dairy products and other food items.
Complaints can be lodged at the office of the designated officer at Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16, Chandigarh. Consumers can also contact the helpline at 0172-2782457 or use the FSSAI Consumer Complaint Portal and Food Safety Connect app.
Officials said violations of the directions could lead to action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, including collection of samples, seizure of materials, issuance of improvement notices and prosecution.
