Oct 1, 2020
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has finally brought out the date for mandated display of “Best before date” on non-packaged/ loose sweets, container /tray holding sweets at the outlet for sale with effect from October 01, 2020.
The order also states that the FBO’s (Food Business Operators) can also display “Date of manufacturing”, however the same is voluntary and not mandatory.
The idea to issue this order is to suppress its previous order dated February 24, 2020,https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=16e9f6a6-bcbc-4d86-8729-b9f0302d1470#_ftn2 whereby the FSSAI had mandated display of both “Date of Manufacturing” as well as “Best before Date” on non-packaged/ loose sweets, container /tray holding sweets at the outlet for sale with effect from June 01, 2020.The February order also mandated display of “Date of Manufacturing” and “Best before date” for pre-packaged sweets on their labels as per the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011.
Hence, FSSAI now has relaxed the aforesaid compliances and made the display of the “Date of Manufacturing” on the container/ tray holding the non-packaged or loose sweets voluntary while “Best before date” remains mandatory.
The FSSAI has also directed that FBO’s shall decide and display “Best before Date” depending upon the nature of product and local conditions and the ones dealing with sweets shall comply with the aforesaid directions and the Commission of Food Safety of all States and UT’s shall ensure compliance by such FBO’s.
While FSSAI has introduced norms aiming to adopt best hygiene and safety practices while preparing food products, including non-packaged or loose sweets having limited shelf life and storage time, it has struck a balance by considering the interests of those selling such food items in the form of reduced compliance burden. Since the mentioning of “Best before Date” suffices the objective of consumer protection in respect of the said non-packaged or loose sweets, FSSAI has done away with the compulsion of stating “Date of Manufacturing” thereby ensuring consumption of non-packaged or loose sweets to be a sweet experience.
India being a land of diverse cultures and festivities is a home to various delicacies including sweets which accomplish the celebrations. The country has a rich heritage and tradition including preparation of fresh sweets at the local sweet shops and their distribution on different occasions, thereby carving a special place in hearts of those having a “sweet tooth”. However, the sweet shops are bound to ensure compliance to hygiene and safety norms while preparing the sweets for consumption.