FSDA chief Dr Roshan Jacob issued the directive on Sunday, demanding that every sweet—whether packaged or loose—display a 'Use by Date' on its packaging or stall signage, a move that takes effect on 15 October.
The mandate follows inspection reports that revealed dozens of vendors selling loose laddoos, barfis, and jalebis without any visible expiry, a loophole that left buyers clueless about freshness.
Under the new rule, sweets can have a shelf life ranging from a single day to thirty days, depending on ingredients and preparation, so the label will inform consumers whether a raw date or a whole‑wheat barfi should be eaten within days.
Simultaneously, the department has banned the use of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol as coolants in milk processing units, citing the risk of contamination in pasteurisation and refrigeration stages.
Shopkeeper Meera Devi, who runs a stall in Lucknow’s Chandni Chowk, said she will stamp her sweets with the new dates next week, hoping customers will trust the fresher product.
The FSDA will begin inspections in early November, with penalties for non‑compliance ranging from fines to suspension of business licences.