FSSAI instructs removal of A1 & A2 milk claims from labels, media

INDIA – The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has directed all food businesses organizations to remove any claims related to A1 and A2 proteins from their products.

E-commerce food businesses are also required to immediately remove all such claims from their websites.

However, food businesses are permitted to use up their existing pre-printed labels within six months of this notice. However, no further extensions or timelines will be granted.

This directive was issued after the approval of the Competent Authority at FSSAI.

The authorising body explained that several food businesses have been marketing their milk products using claims associated with A1 and A2 types of milk, under their FSSAI License Numbers or Registration Certificate Numbers.

After thorough examination, FSSAI has determined that the differentiation between A1 and A2 milk is primarily based on the structure of a specific protein, beta-casein.

The use of A2-related claims on milk products is considered misleading and is not in line with the provisions set forth in the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act of 2006 and its associated regulations.

The FSSAI emphasizes that the existing Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, do not recognize or mention any differentiation of milk based on A1 and A2 types.

 Meanwhile, in other news the Food Safety Department in Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) has directed that all milkmen will have to be registered with the department, carry an official identity card and a lactometer with them.

This is part of the new measures the department has come up with to contain food adulterators in Bhind, infamous for the adulteration in the dairy products such as milk and mawa.

Mawa is another dairy product that has been produced in mass quantities and is exported to major cities in the state as well as the country. Adulteration in mawa has been a major issu.

The major reason of this adulteration has been identified as non-disclosure of the milkmen.

There are over 4000 milkmen in the district and none of them are registered with any organisation of any sort which makes it easier for them to mix water and other substances to adulterate the dairy products.

The issuing of identity card to milkmen will provide the consumers a confidence that the milkmen are registered with the department and are not adulterating the product as they will be required to check the produce before selling it.

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