Scientists at the ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, have developed a patented antimicrobial technology that could significantly extend the refrigerated shelf life of paneer from the conventional 8–10 days to approximately 20–21 days.
The innovation is aimed at addressing one of the major challenges associated with paneer—its high perishability—and could have significant implications for dairy processors, distributors and small-scale dairy entrepreneurs.
Patented Antimicrobial Technology for Paneer
The technology is based on an Antimicrobial Coagulant Formulation (AMCF) developed by scientists at NDRI’s Dairy Microbiology Division.
According to the institute, the formulation is designed to provide both coagulating and antimicrobial properties during paneer production. It can also be used through a dipping treatment.
The technology is intended to improve the microbial quality and storage stability of paneer while maintaining its characteristic taste, texture and overall quality.
Shelf Life Could Nearly Double
Conventional fresh paneer generally has a limited refrigerated shelf life, creating challenges for transportation, inventory management and distribution.
NDRI’s AMCF technology has demonstrated the potential to extend paneer’s shelf life to around 20–21 days, compared with approximately 8–10 days for conventional products.
Such an extension could provide dairy businesses with greater flexibility in production planning and distribution while potentially reducing spoilage and unsold inventory.
Nearly Nine Years of Research
The technology was developed by Dr Pradip Vishnu Behare and his research team at NDRI following approximately eight to nine years of research and development.
The technology has now been granted a patent, marking an important milestone towards commercial deployment.
Research conducted by the team has indicated improvements in paneer’s shelf life, storage stability and microbial quality under the evaluated conditions.
Potential Benefits for the Dairy Industry
A longer shelf life could address several challenges across the paneer supply chain.
Reduced food wastage: Extended storage could help minimise spoilage, product rejection and losses.
Wider distribution: Dairy processors could potentially transport paneer to markets located farther from manufacturing facilities.
Improved inventory management: Retailers and distributors could have greater flexibility in stocking and moving the product.
Expanded market reach: Small and medium-sized dairy businesses could potentially serve markets beyond their immediate geographic areas.
Greater value addition: Improved storage stability could make paneer processing and distribution more commercially attractive.
Potential Opportunity for Small Dairy Businesses
Paneer is manufactured across India’s organised and unorganised dairy sectors, ranging from large dairy companies to local sweet shops, restaurants and small dairy enterprises.
For smaller businesses, the product’s relatively short shelf life can restrict the distance over which paneer can be transported and sold.
A commercially viable shelf-life extension technology could enable these businesses to produce, package and distribute paneer across wider markets, subject to applicable food-safety, regulatory, processing, packaging and cold-chain requirements.
NDRI Says Technology Is Ready for Commercialisation
Dr Dheer Singh, Director, ICAR-NDRI, said the development could improve the quality, storage stability and marketability of paneer.
He highlighted that the extended shelf life could provide greater flexibility in the handling, transportation and marketing of paneer while supporting wider availability of good-quality paneer to consumers.
The institute also indicated that the technology could be adopted by both large dairy processors and small-scale dairy entrepreneurs.
Commercialisation Will Be the Next Key Step
With the technology now patented and considered ready for commercialisation, its transition from research to large-scale industry use will be closely watched.
Commercial adoption will require consistent performance under real-world manufacturing, packaging, refrigeration and distribution conditions. Maintaining the expected sensory, nutritional and microbiological quality of paneer throughout its extended shelf life will also remain important.
Regulatory compliance and validation under commercial operating conditions will be critical to determining the technology’s wider adoption.
Could Transform Paneer Supply Chains
If successfully commercialised at scale, extending paneer’s shelf life from approximately 8–10 days to 20–21 days could have implications well beyond product preservation.
The additional shelf life could allow dairy companies to optimise production schedules, reduce product returns, improve distribution efficiency and reach markets located farther from manufacturing centres.
For India’s expanding organised dairy sector, particularly as branded paneer becomes increasingly available across multiple cities, improved shelf stability could support the development of more efficient and geographically broader supply chains.
A Promising Development for India’s Dairy Sector
NDRI’s patented AMCF technology represents a potential advancement in addressing the high perishability of paneer.
By potentially nearly doubling its refrigerated shelf life, the technology could help reduce dairy waste, improve logistics and create new opportunities for processors and entrepreneurs.
However, the broader impact will ultimately depend on successful commercialisation, regulatory compliance and consistent performance under industrial-scale conditions.
If these challenges are effectively addressed, the technology could become an important tool for improving paneer supply chains, reducing food losses and expanding the market reach of India’s value-added dairy products.
📢 Be Aware, We never charge any consultancy fee for jobs.
📲 Foodtech Network WhatsApp Jobs Group
Click to join the WhatsApp group
👥Free Membership (For Jobs, Internship and Training)
Membership registration
⚙️ Food Entrepreneurs & Startups (For business owners)
Our services (Free and Paid)
📱 Food safety training and certification.
Check our training portal and enroll now
