India, Aug. 5 -- The Maharashtra government announced a total ban on artificial or analogue paneer - a non-dairy product made from vegetable oils, starches, emulsifiers and additives, citing health concerns.

It prohibited the manufacturing, processing, preparation, packing, storage, distribution (including transportation), wholesale sale, retail sale, offering or exposing for sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer throughout Maharashtra for a period of one year.

Analogue paneer is a non-dairy option for traditional paneer made using vegetable oils, starches, emulsifiers and other additives instead of milk fat. It is significantly cheaper to produce than conventional paneer and contains lower protein levels.

Health experts caution that it...