Uttar Pradesh Tightens Food Safety Norms: ‘Use-by’ Date Mandatory for Loose Sweets
Lucknow: In a significant move aimed at bolstering consumer protection, the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has introduced a stringent mandate requiring all sweet shops and manufacturers across the state to clearly display a “Use-by Date” on their products. Effective from October 15, this regulation closes a long-standing loophole that previously exempted loose, unpackaged sweets from shelf-life labeling requirements.
The directive, issued by Dr. Roshan Jacob, Commissioner of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, comes as a direct response to growing concerns over the quality and freshness of confectionery sold in the state. Historically, while pre-packaged goods were subject to rigorous labeling standards, loose sweets—often displayed in open trays at retail outlets—lacked any form of expiration or manufacture date, leaving consumers in the dark about product viability.
Ensuring Consumer Transparency
State officials highlighted that recent inspections uncovered widespread non-compliance regarding transparency in the sweet manufacturing sector. Retailers were frequently found offering products without providing necessary details, making it impossible for patrons to assess whether the sweets were fresh or nearing the end of their shelf life.
“The objective is to empower consumers,” an FSDA spokesperson noted. “By mandating the ‘Use-by Date,’ we are ensuring that every customer can make an informed decision, thereby safeguarding their health and well-being.”
The department acknowledged that shelf life varies significantly depending on the ingredients used in the preparation of the sweets. Depending on the product type, this duration could range anywhere from a single day to up to 30 days. As time passes, the taste, texture, and nutritional quality of these items naturally degrade, a reality that necessitated formal regulatory oversight.
Strict Ban on Harmful Chemicals in Dairy Processing
Beyond the new labeling mandate, the FSDA has also cracked down on dangerous manufacturing practices within the state’s dairy sector. The department has officially prohibited the use of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol in milk and milk product processing plants.
Investigations revealed that certain processing units had been utilizing these industrial chemicals as coolants during pasteurization and refrigeration phases. The FSDA warned that if a leak were to occur within the machinery, these substances could easily contaminate milk supplies, posing severe health risks to the general public.
To ensure business continuity, the department has explicitly recommended the use of propylene glycol as a safer, viable alternative. Many milk processing units across Uttar Pradesh already utilize this substance, and the regulatory body expects all remaining establishments to pivot to this standard immediately to prevent potential health hazards.
This dual-pronged approach—mandating shelf-life disclosures for sweets and banning hazardous chemicals in dairy processing—reflects the state government’s intensified focus on food safety. By tightening enforcement and mandating greater transparency, authorities aim to instill consumer confidence during the upcoming festival seasons, when the demand for dairy-based sweets and milk products peaks across the state.
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