FSSAI Withdraws Advisory On ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ Milk Claims
FSSAI Withdraws Advisory On 'A1' and 'A2' Milk Claims
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has withdrawn its recent advisory regarding claims of ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ milk types. On August 21, 2024, FSSAI had instructed food businesses to remove these claims from packaging and e-commerce platforms, stating that such claims did not align with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The differentiation between A1 and A2 milk is based on the beta-casein protein found in milk, which varies by cow breed. However, FSSAI’s existing regulations do not acknowledge this differentiation. The initial advisory had also required food business operators (FBOs) to use up pre-printed labels within six months, with no extensions.
The withdrawal, announced on Monday, means that FBOs can continue to market and sell milk products with ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ claims. The FSSAI has decided to retract the advisory to engage in further consultations with stakeholders. In a new advisory, FSSAI stated, “The advisory dated August 21, 2024…stands withdrawn for further consultation and engagement with the stakeholders.”
The move comes as FSSAI seeks more input before finalizing any decisions regarding the labeling of milk based on its protein composition. The regulator’s earlier directive to remove such claims had sparked significant concern among industry players and consumers.
