FSSAI Withdraws Advisory on A1 and A2 Milk Labeling

• 27 Aug 2024

On 26th August, 2024, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has retracted its recent directive for food businesses to remove A1 and A2 milk claims from packaging, opting for further stakeholder consultations.

• The FSSAI has withdrawn its August 21, 2024, advisory that directed food businesses to eliminate A1 and A2 milk claims from their packaging.
• The withdrawal allows food business operators (FBOs) to continue marketing milk and milk products with A1 and A2 claims during ongoing consultations with stakeholders.
• The FSSAI initially issued the advisory after determining that current regulations under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, do not recognize the differentiation between A1 and A2 milk.
• A1 and A2 milk differ in their beta-casein protein structure, a variance attributed to the breed of cow, but this distinction is not officially recognized by existing FSSAI regulations.
• E-commerce platforms were also instructed to remove products with A1 and A2 claims from their listings, a directive now put on hold.
• FBOs were previously asked to exhaust any pre-printed labels featuring these claims within six months, with no further extensions permitted, a requirement now under review.
• The decision to withdraw the advisory reflects the need for more thorough consultation and regulatory clarity on the labeling of milk products in India.