Loose Sweets in Uttar Pradesh to Get 'Use-By Dates' From October 15; Check New Rule

Uttar Pradesh is set to introduce a new food-safety requirement for sweet shops from October 15, 2026, making it mandatory for sellers to clearly display the “Use By” date on sweets kept or displayed for sale. The requirement is particularly significant for loose sweets, for which consumers have often had limited information about how long the products remain suitable for consumption.

The directive has been issued by the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) ahead of the festive season, when demand for sweets typically increases. The department said the move is intended to give consumers clearer information about the freshness and usable period of the sweets they purchase. FDA Seizes Kaju Katli at Reliance Retail Outlet in Buldhana Over Quality Concerns.

What Is the New Rule for Sweet Shops in UP?

From October 15, sweet shops and manufacturing establishments in Uttar Pradesh will have to display the Use By date for sweets that are displayed or stored for sale. The requirement will apply to loose sweets as well as sweets kept for sale at retail outlets. The information is expected to be displayed clearly so that customers can check it before purchasing the product.

The order was issued by FSDA Commissioner Roshan Jacob. The department said recent inspections at sweet manufacturing and retail establishments found instances where customers were not given clear information about the manufacturing date or the period for which sweets remained suitable for consumption.

Why Is UP Introducing the Use-By Date Rule?

According to the FSDA, the usable life of sweets differs depending on their type, ingredients, preparation and storage conditions. The department has indicated that the usable period of different sweets can range from one day to 30 days. The quality, taste and freshness of sweets can change over time. The new disclosure requirement is therefore aimed at ensuring that consumers have information about the period within which a particular sweet is intended to be consumed.

The department said visible date information will allow customers to make more informed decisions about the freshness and quality of sweets before buying them. Maharashtra FDA Suspends Food Licence of Suleman Usman Mithaiwala and 9 Other Mumbai Establishments.

Will Every Sweet Have the Same Shelf Life?

No. The new rule does not prescribe one fixed shelf life for every variety of sweet. The FSDA has clarified that sellers can determine an appropriate use-by period based on factors such as the ingredients used, manufacturing process, nature of the sweet and storage conditions. However, this flexibility also comes with responsibility. Once a food business declares a particular use-by period, it is responsible for ensuring that the sweet continues to meet applicable quality and food-safety requirements throughout that declared period.

What About Packaged Sweets?

Packaged sweets already have date-labelling requirements under existing food-safety rules. The latest Uttar Pradesh directive is particularly relevant to non-packaged or loose sweets, which are commonly displayed in trays or containers at sweet shops. The distinction is important because loose sweets are sold without individual packaging carrying the same kind of information that consumers typically see on packaged food products. The move also builds on earlier national food-safety guidance. In 2020, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) directed that containers or trays holding non-packaged or loose sweets should display the date of manufacture and “Best Before” date.

What Should Consumers Check From October 15?

Once the new rule takes effect, customers buying loose sweets in Uttar Pradesh will be able to check the displayed Use By date before making a purchase. Consumers can also consider the type of sweet and its storage conditions, particularly for products with ingredients that may make them more perishable. The FSDA's approach means that the date shown by a seller will be linked to the particular product rather than a single shelf-life period applicable to all varieties.

UP Also Bans Certain Chemicals in Milk Processing

The new sweets requirement comes alongside another food-safety measure in Uttar Pradesh. The state has prohibited the use of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol in milk and dairy-product processing units. According to reports on the FSDA action, inspections found that some milk-processing establishments were using these substances as coolants during processes such as pasteurisation and refrigeration. The department has moved to prohibit their use because of concerns over possible contamination in case of leakage.

The use-by date requirement for sweets will take effect across Uttar Pradesh on October 15, 2026, putting greater emphasis on visible shelf-life information at sweet shops and manufacturing establishments during the upcoming festive period.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2026 04:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).