Key Update

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified inspections across Pune under the “Safe Food, Safe Drug, Safe Maharashtra” campaign and a newly launched online grievance portal. However, many sweet shops no longer display best-before dates or even price tags on loose sweets, making it harder for consumers to assess their freshness, quality, and price before purchasing. Residents say the absence of this information has reduced transparency and made it more difficult to make informed buying decisions.

FSSAI Made the Requirement Voluntary

FSSAI first introduced the requirement to display best-before dates for loose sweets under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, and retained it in the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020.

In November 2023, however, the regulator made the requirement voluntary for loose and non-packaged food items. FSSAI said its scientific panel needed more time to determine the most appropriate way to declare best-before dates for unpackaged foods.

Following the regulatory change, many sweet shop owners stopped displaying manufacturing and best-before dates, while some also removed price tags. Business owners say the revised rule now leaves the decision to individual establishments.

FDA Cannot Enforce a Voluntary Rule

FDA Joint Commissioner (Food) Digambar Bhogawade said the department cannot compel businesses to display best-before dates because FSSAI no longer mandates the practice.

He said the earlier mandatory requirement was relaxed after stakeholders sought changes to the regulation. As a result, the FDA can no longer take enforcement action against businesses that do not display best-before dates. However, consumers can still report suspected food quality issues through the FDA’s grievance mechanism.

Bhogawade added that only FSSAI can decide whether to restore the mandatory labelling requirement after reviewing recommendations from its scientific panels.

FDA Plans Festive Season Inspection Drive

The FDA has continued to strengthen food safety surveillance across Pune. During the first quarter of FY 2026–27 (April to June), officials collected 60 samples of sweets and confectionery products and 37 samples of savouries and namkeen for laboratory testing across the Pune Division. In July, the department suspended the licences of more than 20 eateries, bakeries, and dairies for food safety violations.

With the festive season approaching, the FDA will launch a special inspection drive from the first week of August to strengthen compliance and ensure the sale of safe food products.

Source: The Indian Express