Starting October 26, 2026, sweet shops across Uttarakhand will be required to display manufacturing dates and expiry dates or “use by” dates on trays and counters selling loose sweets and bakery products. The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued the order to improve food safety and help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.
Food Safety Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey issued the directions after inspections revealed that customers were often unable to determine when loose sweets had been prepared or how long they remained suitable for consumption. While packaged sweets already carry information about their manufacturing and shelf life, similar details were not clearly mandatory for loose sweets and bakery products under the arrangement described by the department.
Dates must be displayed on trays and counters
Under the new order, food business operators must clearly display the manufacturing date and expiry date or use-by date on the counters or trays where loose sweets and bakery items are offered for sale. The requirement will apply throughout Uttarakhand, rather than being limited to a particular city.
The department said the shelf life of sweets and bakery products varies depending on their nature. Some products may remain suitable for consumption for only one day, while others may have a shelf life of up to 30 days. Displaying the relevant dates will help customers assess a product’s freshness and intended period of use before buying it.
Decision taken under food safety law
According to the FDA, the order has been issued with reference to Sections 18(1)(a) and 30(2)(d) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. These provisions relate to protecting consumer interests, safeguarding public health and implementing food safety requirements.
The department expects the new measure to improve transparency in the sale of loose sweets and bakery products. It is also intended to help consumers access essential information that was not always available at the point of purchase.
Important ahead of the festive and wedding season
The decision comes as demand for sweets often rises during festivals, family functions and the wedding season. Large quantities of sweets are prepared and displayed for sale during these periods, making information about their freshness and shelf life particularly relevant to buyers.
Pandey said the requirement had been introduced to protect consumer interests and public health. He added that the shelf life of different products varies, making it important for customers to know when items were manufactured and until when they should be used.
From October 26, sweet shops and other food businesses covered by the order will therefore need to display the prescribed date information alongside loose sweets and bakery products offered for sale.
