The Goa Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken significant steps to combat the use of milk analogues in food products. They have issued regulations requiring food establishments to disclose the use of milk analogues and have conducted raids. The sale of analogue-based products under the names of traditional dairy sweets is prohibited. Establishments must maintain proper cold storage for dairy products. According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a dairy analogue is a product in which constituents not derived from milk replace some or all of the milk constituents. In making an analogue, manufacturers formulate a mixture using non-dairy ingredients such as vegetable fats or oils, vegetable proteins, water, sugars, stabilizers, emulsifiers and permitted flavouring or colouring substances. Products formulated with high amounts of saturated fat may contribute to excessive saturated-fat intake, which is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Analogues' safety depends on their ingredients, manufacturing practices and compliance with food-safety standards. The major concern arises when such products are falsely presented as genuine milk or milk products. FSSAI has therefore directed states to strengthen testing and label inspections of dairy analogues.
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
