FSSAI orders removal of A1 and A2 claims from milk and dairy products

The regulatory body clarified that current standards set by the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, do not recognize any differentiation in milk based on A1 or A2 types. (Representational image)

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered all food businesses, including e-commerce Food Business Operators (FBOs), to remove claims related to A1 and A2 types of milk from the packaging of milk and dairy products. The regulatory body has stated that these claims are misleading and do not align with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, and its associated regulations.

FSSAI highlighted that several FBOs have been marketing dairy products such as ghee, butter, and curd with claims about A1 and A2 milk under their FSSAI licence and registration numbers. The regulatory body clarified that current standards set by the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, do not recognise any differentiation in milk based on A1 or A2 types.

"The FBOs are instructed to remove such claims from their products. E-Commerce FBOs are instructed to remove all the claims related to A1 & A2 proteins from their websites immediately. Further, the concerned FBOs shall ensure strict compliance of the same with effect from the date of issuance of this direction," stated the FSSAI release dated August 21.

While the FSSAI allowed businesses to exhaust their existing pre-printed labels within six months from the issuance of this order, the regulatory authority emphasized that no further extensions would be granted.