Mirzapur sweet shops will now have to provide customers with information about when sweets were prepared and how long they can safely be consumed.
The state government has directed sweet shop owners to clearly display the preparation date and expiry or shelf-life details.
The Food Safety Department has started preparations to educate sweet sellers about the requirement. Officials said the move is aimed at helping customers identify fresh and safe sweets while improving transparency in the sale of food products.
Mirzapur Sweet Shops Face New Rule
Assistant Commissioner (Food) II Sushil Kumar Singh said shopkeepers will be informed about the requirement to mention manufacturing and expiry dates on sweets.
The department will first focus on creating awareness among sweet shop owners. During subsequent inspections, violations may lead to action under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The rule is intended to provide customers with clearer information before they purchase sweets and to discourage the sale of old products as freshly prepared items.
Shelf Life Depends on the Sweet
The shelf life of sweets varies depending on their ingredients and preparation. According to the standards mentioned by the Food Safety Department, laddus should be consumed within two days.
Sweets prepared with sugar syrup have a shelf life of around 12 hours, while milk-based sweets should be consumed within four hours. Some other varieties may have a shelf life of up to five days.
Shopkeepers will therefore need to provide information about the nature of the sweet and its prescribed shelf life so that customers can make informed purchases.
Customers Can Check Sweet Freshness
The new system will allow buyers to check when a sweet was prepared and understand its applicable shelf life at the time of purchase.
The department expects the requirement to help address complaints related to sweets being stored for long periods and then sold as fresh. Clear information on preparation and shelf life can also improve transparency about food quality.
Rajan Gupta welcomed the rule, saying that information about freshness and shelf life is important in the public interest. He said the measure could help increase trust between sweet shop owners and customers.
Action After Awareness Drive
The Food Safety Department will initially educate shopkeepers about the requirements. Officials will subsequently check compliance during inspections.
If violations are found, action can be taken against the concerned shopkeeper under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The department’s focus is to ensure that customers receive clearer information about the freshness and shelf life of sweets.
