MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has completely banned the manufacture, sale, storage, transportation and distribution of analog or artificial cheese across the state, according to an order issued by food safety commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on July 30.The order covers non-dairy or artificial cheese products and comes with strict provisions against establishments selling such products as genuine dairy paneer, news agency ANI reported.Passing off analog paneer as dairy paneer to invite actionThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has clarified that selling analog paneer while representing it as genuine dairy paneer would amount to misleading consumers and constitute an unfair trade practice under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.Authorities have warned that strict legal action will be taken against individuals and establishments found violating the provisions.Penalties include jail, fineDepending on the severity of the offence, violations can attract imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh under the food safety law.The penalties become significantly more stringent if consumption of unsafe food results in a person’s death.In such cases, the law provides for life imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 10 lakh.(With agency inputs)
