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UP Sweet Shops: "Use By Date" Mandatory from Oct 15
14 Oct
Summary
- Sweet shops in Uttar Pradesh must display 'Use By Date' starting October 15.
- The rule applies to all sweets, whether displayed or stored.
- Food businesses will determine shelf life, ranging from one to 30 days.
Ahead of the festive season, Uttar Pradesh sweet shops must begin displaying the 'Use By Date' for all products on sale from October 15. This mandate extends to sweets displayed in trays and counters, as well as those in storage.
The order, issued by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) Commissioner, aims to provide consumers with clear information about the intended consumption period of sweets. While packaged sweets already have expiry dates, this new rule ensures visibility for loose sweets at the point of sale.
Food business operators are responsible for determining the shelf life of individual sweets, which can range from one to 30 days based on ingredients, manufacturing, and storage. This initiative is part of a broader consumer awareness campaign on food safety.
Enforcement will involve adding the use-by date to inspectors' checklists, with potential penalties or license actions for non-compliance. The legal basis for the order lies in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, emphasizing consumer protection and fair trade practices.