Only 2 days left: Use-by date must now be declared even on loose sweets
Food businesses will decide the shelf period; will bear full responsibility for maintaining quality until the declared date
Lucknow, October 2026 : There is good news for customers who buy sweets. From October 15, 2026, it will become mandatory in Uttar Pradesh to display the 'Use By Date', i.e. the last date of use, on sweets. The new rule will not be limited to packed sweets only; the last date of use will also have to be clearly displayed on loose sweets that are displayed and stored for sale. Dr. Roshan Jacob, Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, had issued a detailed order in this regard on September 27.
This arrangement by the food safety and drug administration departmentis an important step toward providing consumers with necessary information about the freshness and quality of sweets during the festive season. Now, while buying sweets, a customer will be able to see up to which date it is appropriate to consume the product concerned.
The way of buying sweets will change after two days
From October 15, sweet sellers will have to clearly display the 'Use By Date' of the product at the point of sale. This will allow the consumer to get information about the usage period of the sweets at the time of purchase itself, and make a decision according to their needs. During the department's inspection and enforcement actions, it had come to light that at many places consumers did not have adequate information about the manufacturing date and usage period of sweets. The purpose of the new system is to bridge this information gap.
No uniform shelf life; businesses will decide the period themselves
The food safety department has clarified that a uniform shelf life has not been fixed for all sweets. Based on the nature of the sweet, its ingredients, manufacturing process and storage arrangements, food business operators will themselves determine its usage period. The usage period of different sweets can range from one day to 30 days. The period determined by the business operator will have to be clearly displayed at the point of sale.
Along with the 'use by' date, accountability of the business too
According to the department, the declared 'use by date' will not be merely information; the responsibility of the business operator will also be attached to it. If the usage period of a sweet has been declared as five days, the business operator will have to ensure that during these five days the product remains in conformity with the prescribed quality and food safety standards.
Consumer will get an essential right
The new system will increase transparency in the sweets business, and customers will get clear information about the freshness and usage period of the product. The objective of the food safety department is to provide consumers with aware and safe choices. Before October 15, sweet traders now have only three days for preparations. After that, it will be mandatory to give clear information about the 'use by date' on sweets displayed and stored for sale.
