Restaurants and eateries across Maharashtra must now clearly state whether dishes contain real paneer or a substitute, officials said on Friday.

The directive issued by the state Food and Drug Administration on March 20 came into force on Thursday to ensure transparency and prevent customers from being misled by cheaper non-dairy alternatives.

Under the rule, all food businesses- including restaurants, hotels, caterers and fast-food outlets- must disclose the use of substitutes, often called cheese analogues, on menus, bills and display boards, an official said.

Manufacturers and suppliers have also been directed to label such products accurately, adding that action will be taken against violators under food safety laws.

The move follows complaints that several establishments were serving paneer-based dishes made with substitutes without informing customers.

Paneer is a product made entirely from milk, while a cheese analogue is prepared using edible oils, starch and emulsifiers. Though such substitutes are not considered unsafe, officials said consumers must be informed about what is being served to them.

Backing the move, the Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India), which represents several eateries in Mumbai, said that its leadership has engaged with the regulator and is committed to complying.

The association said a delegation had met FDA commissioner Shridhar Dube Patil to discuss implementation of the directive.

A senior representative of the association said members have been advised to ensure that such products are labelled as "cheese analogue" wherever they are used.

The disclosure must be consistent across menu cards, display boards, digital platforms, billing documents and all customer communications, the representative said, adding that establishments must avoid misrepresenting such products as paneer or cheese.

The association also said the FDA held a seminar to help industry stakeholders distinguish between paneer and cheese analogue products, explaining the implications of its March 20 order mandating disclosure on menus.