Analog Cheese Ban Proposal Details: Licensing and Labelling Changes

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has circulated a detailed draft amendment that targets products currently licensed as “dairy‑related analogs.” Under the proposed framework, every such product must discontinue the use of the word “cheese” across all packaging, labelling and advertising channels.

Licences that were granted to manufacturers of plant‑based cheese substitutes will remain valid, but the scope of those licences will be narrowed to exclude the term “cheese.” The regulator also warned that non‑compliance could lead to suspension of licences and the issuance of enforcement notices.

Stakeholders have been invited to submit written feedback within 60 days of the notification. FSSAI will evaluate the inputs, resolve any objections, and then publish the final regulation in the Gazette, making it legally binding.

The amendment seeks to eliminate consumer deception, uphold food safety standards, and shield traditional dairy producers from unfair competition caused by misleading product names.