Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar, April 4 (NationPress) In the first quarter of 2026, over 2,000 food samples were analyzed across Ahmedabad, revealing that 74 samples were below standard. This has led to enforcement measures under food safety regulations, according to officials on Saturday.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) disclosed that from January 1 to March 31, a total of 2,049 samples were collected as part of the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.

Out of these, 74 food samples were identified as substandard, prompting action against the relevant Food Business Operators in compliance with regulations.

The samples encompassed a variety of products: 85 of paneer, 59 of milk, 89 of milk products, 20 of mango milkshake, 56 of bakery items, 68 of sweets, 99 of namkeen, 61 of sugar-boiled confectionery, 178 of flours and grains, 85 of edible oil, 26 of beverages, 35 of sugar and related items, 3 of tea, 248 of spices and iodised salt, with 937 categorized as others.

During this period, 4,294 food business units were inspected and 1,411 notices were issued.

Authorities reported the destruction of approximately 3,081 kg of unsafe food, recovery of Rs 22,42,300 in administrative fees, and the completion of 1,033 TPC tests.

The AMC also spotlighted its concentrated effort on the quality of paneer, mentioning that out of 85 samples collected, 25 were deemed substandard.

“These cases primarily involved instances where the fat content fell short of the prescribed limits or where analogue paneer was utilized instead of authentic milk paneer,” it noted.

Penalties totaling over Rs three lakh have been enforced, and action has been initiated against 12 units found using analogue paneer.

The AMC has instructed more than 15,000 food business operators via email to transparently indicate whether they are using milk or analogue paneer.

“All food business operators must clearly disclose the use of milk paneer or analogue paneer (a non-dairy product),” the AMC emphasized, warning that failure to comply will result in actions under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India regulations and the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporations Act.

On the same day, 22 additional paneer samples were collected, and Rs 70,000 was recovered as penalties.

Additionally, the Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) mandated that the use of analogue or substitute products in lieu of paneer must be explicitly stated on menu boards or notices in eateries and ready food establishments.

In its directive issued on April 4, the FDCA stated that products made with vegetable fats, starch, or other substitutes “must not be labeled or marketed as ‘Paneer’” but should instead be referred to as “Paneer Analogue” or “Analogue”.

The FDCA emphasized that operators need to maintain transparency in production, packaging, and labeling, providing precise information to consumers regarding the use of analogue products.

It cautioned that “any attempt to mislead consumers or provide false information will be treated as a violation, leading to strict legal repercussions,” reiterating that adherence to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related regulations is obligatory.