FSSAI Cracks Down on Misleading 'A1' and 'A2' Milk Labels

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed food businesses and e-commerce platforms to remove claims of 'A1' and 'A2' types of milk from packaging. This follows the regulator's finding that such distinctions do not conform to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Companies have six months to comply.

New Delhi, Aug 22 (PTI) - The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive for food businesses and e-commerce players to eliminate claims about 'A1' and 'A2' types of milk from their packaging, calling these labels misleading.

The FSSAI stated that these claims do not adhere to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The regulator's investigation revealed that the A1 and A2 differentiation is related to the beta-casein protein structure in milk, which varies among cow breeds. However, FSSAI regulations currently do not recognize these distinctions.

The authority has ordered food business operators (FBOs) and e-commerce platforms to immediately remove such claims. Companies have a six-month window to use up pre-printed labels, with no extensions allowed. The move was welcomed by Parag Milk Foods Chairman Devendra Shah, who noted that these categories were a marketing gimmick and praised the FSSAI for its clarity.

(With inputs from agencies.)