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Food
Uttar Pradesh mandates 'use‑by' dates on all loose sweets, says Food Department
✍️ The Economic Times
🗓 28 Sep 2026, 10:32 PM
👁 15
The Uttar Pradesh Food Department has ordered that all loose sweets sold in the state must display a ‘use‑by’ date, aiming to improve consumer safety.
The Uttar Pradesh Food Department announced a new regulation requiring every loose sweet sold in the state to carry a clearly printed ‘use‑by’ date. The directive applies to all retailers, street vendors and confectionery shops that sell sweets without individual packaging.
Under the rule, manufacturers and sellers must affix the date on the packaging or display board at the point of sale, indicating the last day the product is safe for consumption. Compliance is expected to begin within 30 days of the notification, and authorities will conduct spot checks to enforce the mandate.
The department said the move is intended to curb food‑borne illnesses and protect consumers from consuming stale or contaminated sweets, a concern that has risen with increasing reports of spoilage in high‑temperature conditions.
Vendors have been advised to update their inventory practices and maintain records of production dates. Non‑compliance could attract penalties as per the state’s food safety regulations.
Under the rule, manufacturers and sellers must affix the date on the packaging or display board at the point of sale, indicating the last day the product is safe for consumption. Compliance is expected to begin within 30 days of the notification, and authorities will conduct spot checks to enforce the mandate.
The department said the move is intended to curb food‑borne illnesses and protect consumers from consuming stale or contaminated sweets, a concern that has risen with increasing reports of spoilage in high‑temperature conditions.
Vendors have been advised to update their inventory practices and maintain records of production dates. Non‑compliance could attract penalties as per the state’s food safety regulations.