FSSAI issues notification on shelf life of loose sweets

At present, the rule was mandatory to mention these details on labels of pre-packaged/pre-packed sweets

FSSAI has recently issued a direction that from June onwards local sweet shops will also have to display the ’best before date’ and ’date of manufacturing’ on non-packaged or loose sweets kept in a container or tray for sale at their outlets.

At present, the rule was mandatory to mention these details on labels of pre-packaged/pre-packed sweets but starting June this will be effective on loose sweets also.

“In public interest and to ensure food safety, it has been decided that in case of non-packaged/loose sweets, the container/tray holding sweets at the outlet for sale should display the ’date of manufacturing’ and ’best before date’ of the product,” read the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India order.

This will be effective from June 1,2020, it added.

The food safety regulator also mentioned that the food business operators (FBOs) should decide and display the ’best before date’ of sweets depending upon the nature of the product and local conditions.

Food safety commissioners of states have been asked to ensure compliance to these directions, the order added.