Heritage Foods Responds To FSSAI Notice Over ‘Fresh Paneer’ Labelling
Heritage Foods Responds To FSSAI Notice Over ‘Fresh Paneer’ Labelling
July 8, 2026: Heritage Foods has issued a clarification after receiving a show-cause notice from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding the use of the term “Fresh Paneer” on the packaging of one of its dairy products. The company said it has submitted a detailed response to the regulator and remains committed to complying with all food safety and labelling norms.
In its statement, Heritage Foods said the term “Fresh Paneer” accurately describes the product and is not intended to mislead consumers or make an exaggerated quality claim. The company stated that paneer is naturally a fresh dairy product prepared from pasteurised milk and meant for refrigerated consumption within a limited shelf life.
Heritage Foods further explained that its paneer is not dehydrated, reconstituted or frozen. It said the product is made using fresh pasteurised milk, packed immediately after production under hygienic conditions, transported through an uninterrupted cold chain, and sold only as a refrigerated product without preservatives to extend its shelf life.
According to the company, the word “Fresh” is used to help consumers differentiate the product from frozen, preserved or extended shelf-life paneer available in the market. It added that the packaging carries all mandatory information, including the manufacturing date, use-by date and storage instructions, allowing consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
The company also addressed FSSAI’s concerns over the phrase “Health and Happiness” printed on the packaging. It clarified that the phrase is a long-standing corporate slogan reflecting the company’s commitment to providing safe and quality food products and is not intended to be interpreted as a health or nutritional claim for the paneer.
Reaffirming its commitment to regulatory compliance, Heritage Foods said it has consistently followed the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act and related regulations. The company has requested FSSAI to consider its explanation while reviewing the matter and reiterated its focus on responsible labelling, consumer trust and adherence to food safety standards.
The clarification comes after FSSAI raised concerns over certain expressions used on the product’s packaging. The matter is currently under review by the food safety regulator.
