The campaign is aimed at preventing manufacturers from selling products made with vegetable oils or other non-milk ingredients under the label of paneer. Officials said the enforcement drive will focus especially on sectors where compliance has historically been weak, including smaller and informal operators that account for a large share of India’s paneer market.

Alongside the inspections, FSSAI is preparing stricter labeling regulations designed to create a clearer distinction between traditional dairy paneer and plant-based alternatives. Under the proposed rules, products containing vegetable oil or other non-dairy ingredients will no longer be allowed to use the word “paneer” on packaging or in marketing materials.

Regulators say the move is intended to improve transparency for consumers and protect the integrity of India’s dairy sector. FSSAI officials compared the proposal to existing rules in the frozen dessert market, where only products made with milk fat can be labeled as ice cream, while alternatives must carry a different description.