Loose Sweets Must Carry a Use-By Date

Consumers buying loose sweets in Uttar Pradesh will soon have clearer information about how long the products should be consumed. The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has made it mandatory for manufacturers and retailers across the state to display the ‘use-by date’ of sweets kept for sale from October 15, 2026.

Unlike packaged sweets, loose sweets generally have not had a mandatory requirement to display the final date by which they should be consumed. Under the new requirement, sellers must prominently display the use-by date at the point of sale, allowing consumers to check the product’s intended consumption period before making a purchase.

The move follows inspections and enforcement drives conducted by the FSDA in recent months. During these checks, officials found that consumers were often not receiving clear information about the manufacturing dates or expiry/use-by periods of sweets.

Shelf Life Varies by Sweet

The FSDA noted that the usable period of sweets can vary significantly depending on their ingredients and composition. While some sweets may remain suitable for consumption for only a day, others can have a shelf life of up to 30 days.

As sweets remain on display, their quality, taste and freshness can deteriorate. Displaying the final date of use will therefore help consumers make more informed choices and avoid purchasing products that have remained on sale beyond their appropriate consumption period.

According to the order issued by FSDA Commissioner Roshan Jacob, the measure aims to improve transparency in the sweets market while helping consumers make decisions based on the freshness and intended consumption period of the products. The FSDA has linked the requirement to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which focuses on protecting consumer interests and human health while promoting transparency and reliability in food trade.

Ethylene Glycol Banned in Milk-Processing Units

The FSDA has also introduced a separate safety measure for the dairy sector by prohibiting the use of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol in milk and milk-product processing units across Uttar Pradesh.

Officials found during inspections that some milk-processing establishments were using these chemicals as coolants in processes such as pasteurisation and refrigeration. The concern is that leaks from processing equipment could allow the chemicals to come into contact with milk or milk products, creating a potential health risk.

Propylene Glycol Allowed as an Alternative

To address the need for a suitable coolant, the FSDA has permitted the use of propylene glycol as an alternative. Officials said several milk-processing units are already using it. Together, the two measures aim to strengthen food-safety oversight in Uttar Pradesh—from giving consumers clearer information about the freshness of loose sweets to reducing potential chemical contamination risks during milk processing.

Source: The Hindustan Times