Sweet shops across Pune have quietly stopped displaying manufacturing and best-before dates on their sweets—following a regulatory shift by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). What was once mandatory has now become “voluntary” for non-packaged, loose sweets—a move that has ignited alarm among health experts and consumer advocates .
🗓 What changed?
In November 2023, FSSAI reversed its 2020 requirement for date labels on loose sweets, deeming the mandate ripe for further scientific evaluation. As a result, shops are no longer liable to display key date information.
🚩 Why this matters
- Consumer safety at stake: Milk-based sweets, if stored improperly or sold after their shelf-life, can harbor harmful microorganisms. Doctors warn that consumption could lead to food poisoning, nausea, vomiting, or even gastroenteritis.
- Public trust eroding: Shoppers like Rohan Jadhav from Dange Chowk report that most local sweet retailers now omit date details entirely—leaving consumers in the dark about product freshness .
- Safety lapses elsewhere: Just recently, Pune’s renowned Good Luck Cafe had its license suspended after a glass shard was spotted in a bun—a stark reminder of the broader risks tied to lax food safety.
🧭 What comes next?
Industry insiders suggest that the voluntary labeling could boost flexibility for sweet makers—but only if paired with strong hygiene and inspection protocols. Critics argue tougher monitoring is needed, especially with the festive season on the horizon.
What consumers can do:
- Always ask the shopkeeper for the manufacturing or best-before date.
- Smell and examine sweets for anomalies—stickiness, sourness, or odd textures.
- Prefer vendors who voluntarily display dates as a sign of transparency.
As legislative ambiguity grows and business corners get cut, shoppers, food vendors, and regulators must collaborate to ensure sweet treats remain both delicious and safe.
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