Paneer Imposter: Court Serves 'Poetic Justice' to Eatery

The Bombay High Court on Friday declined an urgent plea from 'Udupi Swaad', a Thane eatery whose license was suspended for serving banned analogue paneer. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad dismissed the restaurant's challenge against the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The court described the situation as 'poetic justice,' asserting that the eatery should endure the same suffering it imposed on customers by serving the substitute product. The Maharashtra government recently banned analogue or non-dairy paneer for one year, citing public health concerns and widespread food safety violations.

'Udupi Swaad' had petitioned the High Court, arguing the FDA should have issued an improvement notice before suspending its license. However, the bench questioned whether the restaurant clearly indicated on its menu that the paneer served was analogue and not milk-based, emphasizing a customer's right to know what they consume.

The court noted that customers have the right to know what they are consuming and should not be served products they have not requested. The judges suggested customers could seek damages. The FDA has been directed to file an affidavit, with further hearings scheduled for September 7.