FSSAI bans A1, A2 milk claims

Pashu Sandesh, 22 August 2024

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), directed food businesses, including e-commerce players, to remove claims of ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ types of milk and milk products from their packaging. In a clarification released on 21st August 2024, FSSAI said, these claims were not in compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. All the Food Business Operators (FBOs) are instructed to remove such claims from their products. FSSAI order reads as follows-

1- It has come to the notice of FSSAI that several food business operators are selling/marketing Milk and Milk Products such as Ghee, Butter, Curd etc in the name of A1&A2 under FSSAI License Number and Registration Certificate Number.

2- In this regard, it may be noted that the matter has been examined by FSSAI and it opened that A1 and A2 differentiation of milk is essentially linked to the difference in the structure of the protein (beta-casein). Hence, the use of any A2 claim on milk fat products is misleading and not in conformance with the provisions laid down under the FSS Act,2006 and regulations made thereunder.

3- Further, standards of Milk specified in the Food and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 do not mention/recognise any differentiation of Milk based on A1 and A2 types.

4- The FBOs are instructed to remove such claims from their products. E-Commerce FBOs are instructed to remove all the claims related to A1 and A2 proteins from their websites immediately. Further, the concerned FBOs shall ensure strict compliance with the same with effect from the date of issuance of this direction. Although the FBOs are permitted to exhaust the available pre-printed labels within 6 months from the date of issuance of this direction. No further extension and timeline will be granted to any FBO.