The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive to all States and Union Territories (UTs) to intensify food safety checks on dairy analogues throughout March. This move aims to tackle the rising concerns of food adulteration and mislabeling, particularly during the festive season, when demand for dairy products surges.

Why the Crackdown on Dairy Analogues?

FSSAI’s latest initiative is part of its product-specific monthly surveillance drive, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and preventing consumer deception. Dairy Analogues are products where non-milk ingredients partially or entirely replace milk components, but they still resemble milk or milk-based products in appearance, texture, and functionality.

FSSAI strictly clarifies that Dairy Analogues are not classified as milk, milk products, or composite milk products. These products often contain vegetable oil, fat, or protein substitutes, which replace essential milk components like milk fat or milk protein.

As per the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, non-dairy products must not be misrepresented as milk or milk-based items. This regulation seeks to prevent misleading marketing tactics that could confuse consumers.

What Measures Will Be Taken?

• Enhanced Food Safety Surveillance: FSSAI has instructed food safety authorities across the country to increase inspections of dairy analogues, particularly in markets with high consumer demand.
• Stringent Label Examination: Authorities will conduct rigorous label checks to ensure that dairy analogues are not falsely marketed as milk-based products.
• Testing for Adulteration: Food safety officials will test samples to identify adulterated or misrepresented products, ensuring consumer safety.

FSSAI’s Commitment to Consumer Protection

The food safety regulator remains steadfast in enforcing strict compliance, ensuring that food adulteration and misrepresentation are prevented. By stepping up food safety checks, FSSAI aims to protect consumers from misleading food labels while maintaining the integrity of India’s dairy industry.

The crackdown underscores the importance of transparency in food labeling, urging manufacturers to adhere to strict regulatory standards while ensuring that non-dairy substitutes do not mislead consumers into believing they are purchasing genuine milk-based products.

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