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Maharashtra bans analogue cottage cheese to protect consumers; violations to attract jail, heavy fines (Ld)

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Mumbai, Aug 5: In a major move aimed at safeguarding public health, the Maharashtra government has imposed a complete ban on the manufacture, sale, storage, transportation, distribution, and processing of analogue paneer (artificial or non-dairy cottage cheese) across the state. With this decision, Maharashtra becomes the second state in the country, after Chhattisgarh, to prohibit the product.

According to an order issued by Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on July 30, the ban has come into immediate effect. It covers the manufacture, processing, packing, storage, transportation, wholesale and retail sale, as well as the offering for sale of analogue or non-dairy cheese throughout the state.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has clarified that any individual or establishment selling analogue paneer while misrepresenting it as genuine dairy cheese will be deemed to have misled consumers and engaged in unfair trade practices under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Authorities have warned that strict legal action will be taken against violators.

Under the provisions of the Act, offenders may face imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, depending on the nature and severity of the offence. In cases where the consumption of unsafe food results in death, the law provides for life imprisonment along with a minimum fine of Rs 10 lakh.

The issue had also been raised in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly last year, where several legislators demanded a complete ban on analogue paneer. The government’s latest decision is being viewed as a significant step towards protecting consumers from misleading food products and ensuring food safety.

Cottage cheese is a staple in Indian households and is valued for its taste, versatility, and high nutritional content. However, in recent years, analogue paneer has emerged as a low-cost alternative in the food industry. Unlike traditional paneer, analogue paneer replaces expensive milk fat and milk solids with vegetable oils, such as palm oil, and starches to replicate the appearance and texture of dairy paneer at a fraction of the cost.

Although analogue paneer closely resembles regular paneer and is often difficult to distinguish visually, it lacks several essential nutrients, including protein, calcium, and vitamins. Health experts have also expressed concerns about its potential adverse health effects, prompting growing debate over its quality, nutritional value, and authenticity.

International News

Govt in touch with Centre to assist tourists stranded in Nepal floods: Maha Minister

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Mumbai, Aug 27: Following severe flooding, landslides and earthquakes in the Nepal-Tibet region, the Maharashtra government is actively gathering information regarding tourists from the state currently stranded in the affected areas.

Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan on Thursday confirmed that state authorities are in constant communication with the Union Government and that relief mechanisms are operating round the clock.

Mahajan said officials had successfully contacted four tourists so far, confirming they were safe. The administration had collected details for roughly 80 individuals. However, communication remained severely impaired because damaged mobile networks and landline outages cut off the affected regions.

A group of tourists travelled to Mansarovar via two vehicles organised by Richard Tours & Travels. Approximately 37 passengers in one vehicle have been confirmed safe. Operations are ongoing to track down the remaining travellers despite severe transportation disruptions caused by landslides, he said.

Mahajan urged families not to panic, emphasising that both central and state agencies were leaving no stone unturned to locate and assist every traveller from Maharashtra. He further stated that all District Collectors across Maharashtra had been instructed to compile lists of residents who recently travelled to the Nepal-Tibet region.

The state government has appealed to relatives and the general public to share any available details regarding stranded individuals.

To streamline information collection and facilitate immediate relief, the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (Control Room, Mantralaya) has launched a dedicated online portal and 24/7 helpline numbers. Relatives can register details of stranded family members at https://geospatial.mahaseoc.in/Sahayata_gulf/.

The government has released the following numbers: State Control Room Toll-Free Number 1070 and Direct Control Room Line +91-9321587143. The official email is controlroom@maharashtra.gov.in. Family members of tourists currently in Nepal are strongly encouraged to submit complete details through the official link or contact the control room immediately, said Mahajan.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Police conducts major operation against call center, 9 arrested, further investigation begins

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Mumbai: Police has unearthed a call centre where people were being duped in the name of courier companies and other companies and franchises. The police received information that a call centre was being run at Room No. 90, Karar, “Internet Transfer Visa Private Limited”, Axis Bank Mobile Colony Road, Malad (Mumbai) in which people were being duped. The police conducted a raid from August 25 to August 26. The people present in the said call centre used to contact the citizens of Mumbai and Maharashtra using the names of various courier and commerce companies and collected money from them by tricking them into giving courier/franchises with well-known courier and commerce companies like Amazon, Flipkart, Mantra, Blue Dart, DTDC, Veena Market etc. During the said operation, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code as well as the Information Technology Act under Case No. 98/26 of Karar Police Station, Mumbai. A case has been registered under relevant sections. 09 people, including the director of the company involved in the said crime, have been arrested and permission has been obtained to keep them in police custody till August 28. During the said operation, 10 high-end desktop computers, 22 laptops, 30 mobile phones, 5 TVs, more than 100 fraudulent agreements worth a total of 24,00,000/- were seized. During further investigation of the said crime, it has been revealed that more than 20 people have been cheated, while more complaints are being received. Citizens who have been cheated by the said company can contact the police and file a complaint. The said operation has been conducted by Police Commissioner, Devan Bharti, Police Joint Commissioner (Crime), Anil Kanbhare, Additional Police Commissioner (Crime), Krishan Kant Upadhyay, DCP Vinonath Dhole.

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Maharashtra

Violence on return from Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession in Mumbai Lalbagh Parel

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Mumbai: Police have registered a case of rioting and taken five people into custody after communal violence broke out at midnight while returning from the Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) procession in Lalbagh, Parel, Mumbai, sources in the Mumbai Police confirmed. A case has been registered against the accused under sections 189(1), 189(2), 191(1), 195(1), 118(1), 121 of the IPC, and the Maharashtra Police Act.
Tensions flared in the Lalbagh Parel area when communal violence broke out between two communities. Muslim youths were passing through Lalbagh Parel on their motorcycles during the Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) procession when youths from other communities gathered and objected to the noise of the motorcycles and rush driving. During this, the police also started taking strict action against several youths. At the same time, youths from other communities insulted the religious flag on the motorcycle of Muslim youths and slogans started being raised from both sides. Youths from the majority community had already set up a guard in the area and when these youths tried to attack the Muslim youths in front of the police, the situation worsened and the matter took the form of violence. The police used light baton charge to control the situation. At present, tension remains here but peace is prevailing.
Various rumors are also circulating on social media regarding the Lalbagh Parel dispute, along with which hateful elements are trying to further worsen the situation by giving it a religious color, which is why now the Mumbai Police has started monitoring social media. Along with this, hundreds of such hateful videos have been viral on social media platforms including Instagram and Facebook, in which hateful elements have targeted a specific community. In this matter, the Bhoiwara police has registered a case of rioting and has taken about 5 accused into custody. Along with this, the police is also talking to the other party and there is a possibility of registering a cross-FIR in this regard. The way the situation is being tried to worsen in Mumbai city, after which the police has issued an alert here. After the attack on Muslim youth on their way back from the Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession, the police have registered a case of violence and rioting and are also examining CCTV footage. Along with this, the police have requested to maintain law and order. Not only that, an alert has been issued, social media is also being monitored. This riot took place due to the mischief of miscreants. Now provocation has also become common on social media, on which the police can take action.

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