Food safety regulator FSSAI on Thursday directed food businesses, including e-commerce players, to remove ꦚclaims of 'A1' and 'A2' types of milk and milk products from packaging, calling such labelling misleading.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSꦺSAI) said these claims do not conform with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
In its la🍬test order, FSSAI said it had examined the issue and found that A1 and A2 differentiation is linked to the structure of beta-casein protein in milk.
However, current FS🔜SAI regulations do not recognize this differentiation.
"FBOs are instructed to remove such claims from their products," the regulator said, referring to food business operators.
E-commerce plat𒈔forms were also told to remove these claims from products and websites immediately.
Companies have been given�ꦕ� six months to exhaust pre-printed labels, with no further extensions to be granted.
A1 and A2 milk differ in their beta-casein protein compos✤ition, which varies based on cow breed.
The regulator emphasized strict compliance wit🐟h this directive.
Welcoming the order, Parag Milk Foods Chairman Devendra Shah said the FSSAI order is a step in the righ🍃t direction.
"A1 and A2 is the category developed by marketing gimmick. ...It's essential that we eliminate misleading claims that can misinfoꦛrm consumers," he said in a sep꧟arate statement.
A1 or A2 milk product category never existed and globally also ജthis trend is fading away, he said, and added that the FSSAI’s clarification supports this broader understanding.
