UP Food Safety Department Mandates Use By Dates for Open Sweets Starting October 15

Mathura, September 30, 2026: In a move aimed at enhancing consumer protection and maintaining public health standards across the state, the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration has announced a significant new regulatory mandate. Starting October 15, 2026, all sweet shops across the state will be required to prominently display a ‘Use By’ date for all open sweets offered for sale or stored on their premises. While packaged food items have long been subject to expiration labeling requirements, this new order specifically closes a regulatory gap that previously left consumers without clear information regarding the freshness and safety of loose sweets.

New Transparency Standards for Sweet Sellers

According to official sources, the decision follows enforcement drives and inspections conducted by the department. Officials said that investigations revealed many establishments were failing to provide consumers with transparent information regarding the manufacturing date and the expiry duration of their products. Consequently, customers often found it difficult to make informed decisions about the freshness of the sweets they were purchasing. The Commissioner of the Food Safety and Drug Administration, Dr. Roshan Jacob, issued the directive to mandate these disclosures. The department noted that the shelf life of various sweets can range significantly from one day to up to 30 days depending on the type and nature of the product. As time passes, the taste, quality, and freshness of these items naturally deteriorate, making the disclosure of an expiry timeframe essential for health safety.

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Ensuring Consumer Health and Safety

The new regulation is grounded in the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which prioritizes the protection of human life and consumer interests. Section 18(1)(a) of the Act emphasizes the necessity of maintaining food safety standards and fair practices in food trade, while Section 30(2)(d) outlines the responsibility of the administration to ensure transparency, reliability, and objectivity in the enforcement of these standards. By clearly displaying the ‘Use By’ date, the department intends to help consumers make more informed choices, thereby reducing the risks associated with the consumption of stale or potentially hazardous food products. This shift towards greater transparency in the sweets business is viewed as a vital step in bolstering consumer trust in the local market, ensuring that customers are fully aware of the condition of the items they intend to purchase.

Stricter Controls in Dairy Processing

Alongside the mandate for sweets, the administration has also taken decisive action regarding dairy processing units in Uttar Pradesh. An official release stated that the use of ethylene glycol and di-ethylene glycol in these facilities has been strictly prohibited. The department reported that during inspection activities, it was found that some dairy processing units were utilizing these chemicals as coolants during pasteurization and cooling processes. The department warned that if these chemicals were to leak into the product, they could pose severe health risks to the public. Officials have advised that propylene glycol, which is already used by many dairy units, should be used as a safer alternative in its place. This broader administrative push reflects the government’s commitment to tightening food safety compliance across the sector, ensuring that every link in the food supply chain adheres to standardized safety protocols. With these measures, the department aims to harmonize practices across the state, ensuring a consistently high level of protection for residents who frequent local establishments for their daily needs.