Confused between A1 & A2 milk? Well, that’s not going to be an issue any longer! The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed all food businesses to remove claims of ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ types from all dairy product packaging. This order also applies to e-commerce Food Business Operators (FBOs). But what has prompted this decision by FSSAI? Read on to find out!
FSSAI Orders Removal Of A1 & A2 Milk Claims From Dairy Products
The FSSAI has ordered all food businesses to remove claims of ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ types from the packaging of milk and milk products. According to an NDTV report, this directive also goes for e-commerce FBOs. They have been asked to “remove all such claims from their websites immediately.”
In the press release issued on their website, FSSAI mentioned that many FBOs have been selling or marketing milk and milk products in the name of ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ claims under the FSSAI licence number and Registration Certificate Number. This included products like milk, ghee, butter, and curd. According to them, such labelling is misleading and inconsistent with the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. They further mention that standards of milk specified under Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2011, FSSAI does not recognise/mention any differentiation of milk based on A1 and A2 type.
Keeping these in mind, FSSAI instructed FBOs “to ensure strict compliance” with this order “from the date of issuance of this direction.” They have, however, permitted the FBOs to exhaust the available pre-printed labels within six months from the date of issuance of this direction. The Food safety regulator will not give any further extension to the FBOs.
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What The Food Regulators Have To Say About This Milk Distinction
In the directive issued by FSSAI, they have mentioned their understanding of the difference between A1 & A2 milk. According to them, the distinction between A1 and A2 milk is solely based on the structure of a protein called beta-casein. They feel that this ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ claim just confuses consumers and have thus asked companies to remove such claims from their products.
Food and dairy companies are not allowed to claim A1 or A2 on milk or products. This is a landmark notification by the @fssaiindia to protect consumers from unscientific claims by food/dairy companies regarding the superiority of A2 milk, ghee, or products over A1 milk/products. pic.twitter.com/x9mTc1ISag
— R S Sodhi (@Rssamul) August 22, 2024
The president of the Indian Dairy Association (IDA), RS Sodhi shared this directive by FSSAI on X (Formerly Twitter) and called it a “landmark notification.” According to him, this directive will “protect consumers from unscientific claims by food and dairy companies.”
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What’s your take on this order by FSSAI? Let us know in the comments!
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (representative image)
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