World · India Bureau
Uttar Pradesh mandates expiry dates on loose sweets from October
Uttar Pradesh will require all confectionery vendors to display 'use by' dates on loose sweets starting October 15, 2026, expanding existing labelling rules. The directive applies to both packaged and open sweets sold across the state.
LSN India ·
The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration has issued a directive requiring all sweet shops and vendors to display expiry dates on loose confectionery items, mirroring requirements already in place for packaged products. The new regulation takes effect on October 15, 2026, giving traders over a year to implement the changes. The order was issued on September 27 by Dr. Roshan Jacob, commissioner of the Food Safety and Drug Administration department. The mandate aims to enhance consumer protection and ensure that only safe, fresh sweets reach customers. Previously, expiry date labelling was mandatory only for packaged confectionery, leaving the unregulated loose sweet market vulnerable to the sale of stale or contaminated products. Vendors will be required to clearly mark the date beyond which sweets should not be consumed, helping consumers make informed purchasing decisions. The state food safety authority is expected to conduct awareness campaigns to help traders comply with the new requirements ahead of the implementation deadline.