Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) issued a directive yesterday that all packaged, re‑packed and re‑labelled food products sold in the state must list the genuine date of manufacture or processing, not the packing date. The move aims to cut a loophole that lets producers hide older stock behind newer packaging.
During a surprise inspection of 12 food units across Lucknow, Ghaziabad and Kanpur, inspectors discovered dozens of cartons where the stamped packing date was several months ahead of the actual production date. In a few cases, the same batch had been stored for over a year before being repackaged, a practice that could mislead consumers about freshness.
Maharashtra Food Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, speaking to Times Now Digital, said, “Consumer awareness is paramount, and we must adopt global best practices to enforce stricter food safety laws.” He added that quick‑commerce platforms should source only from licensed suppliers.
The directive also calls on consumers to act as the FDA’s eyes and ears. If a product lacks a clear manufacturing or expiry date, buyers should file a complaint through the FDA portal and refrain from purchase. The FSDA will monitor compliance in the coming months and may impose penalties on non‑compliant firms.