A major consumer-friendly step by UP's Food Safety Department regarding the quality and freshness of loose sweets
Sweet sellers will have to display the final date of use at the point of sale
Consumers will now get information on the last use date even for loose sweets
Transparency in the sweets trade will increase, customers will get essential information
Lucknow, September 2027 : Keeping in mind the health and interests of consumers buying sweets in Uttar Pradesh, the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has decided to implement an important arrangement. Now, from October 15, 2026, it will be mandatory to display the "use by date," i.e., the last date of use, on sweets displayed and stored for sale in the state. This arrangement is particularly important with regard to loose sweets, for which there was until now no mandatory provision requiring display of a final use date.
According to the department, during enforcement and inspection actions carried out at sweet manufacturing and selling establishments in recent times, it came to notice that at many places, consumers are not provided clear information regarding the sweets' manufacturing date and expiry date. As a result, consumers are unable to make correct decisions about the freshness and usable period of sweets while purchasing them.
Usable period of sweets can range from 1 to 30 days
According to the order issued by Dr. Roshan Jacob, Commissioner of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, the usable period of sweets varies depending on their nature and type. The usable period of different sweets can range from one day to 30 days. Over time, the quality, taste, and freshness of sweets are affected. Therefore, it is necessary in the interest of health that consumers have information about the final use date of sweets while purchasing them.
The department believes that clearly displaying the use-by date of sweets will enable consumers to know the period within which the relevant food item should appropriately be consumed. This will allow consumers to make more informed decisions regarding the freshness and quality of the food item.
*After being mandatory for packaged sweets, now the regulation has bee extends to loose sweets as well*
Under the current system, it is mandatory to mark the expiry date or "use by date" on packaged sweets. However, there was no clear mandatory provision for displaying such information with regard to loose sweets. The directive issued by the department is an important step toward bridging this gap. Now, sweet manufacturing and selling establishments will have to clearly display the use-by date in relation to sweets displayed and stored for sale. This will enable customers to get information about the usable period of the sweets before purchasing them.
Priority to consumer interest and public health
The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provides for the protection of consumers' interests and for maintaining an appropriate level of protection of human life and health. Section 18(1)(a) of the Act provides for efforts toward safeguarding human life and health and protecting consumer interests in the context of food safety standards and fair practices in food trade. Similarly, under Section 30(2)(d) of the Act, responsibility has been fixed for ensuring transparency, reliability, and objectivity along with the effective and uniform implementation of food safety standards and other prescribed provisions. Based on these legal provisions, a new arrangement regarding the usable period of sweets is being implemented in Uttar Pradesh.
Consumers will get clear information while purchasing sweets
After the new arrangement comes into effect, consumers will have clear information regarding the final use date of sweets while purchasing them. This will enable customers to purchase sweets according to their needs and reduce potential risks associated with consuming sweets that have been kept for longer periods. This arrangement by the Food Safety Department aims to increase transparency in the sweets trade as well as provide consumers with necessary information regarding the food item they are purchasing.
Ban on the use of ethylene glycol in milk processing
Lucknow: The use of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol has been banned in milk and milk product processing units in Uttar Pradesh. The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has issued this order keeping consumer interest and broader public health in mind. During the department's enforcement and inspection actions, it came to light that some milk processing establishments were using ethylene glycol or diethylene glycol as a coolant in processes such as pasteurization and refrigeration. According to the department, these chemicals can pose serious health risks if they mix into food items. Given the possibility of these chemicals leaking into milk in case of leakage in processing equipment, their use has been banned. The department has stated that propylene glycol can be used in their place, which is already being used by many milk processing units.
