In a major step towards improving food safety standards, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed food companies, including e-commerce platforms, to remove claims of ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ grades of milk and milk products from their packaging. The regulator deemed such labelling misleading and inconsistent with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

In its latest directive on Thursday, the FSSAI said its review of the matter found that the distinction between A1 and A2 milk is based on the structure of the beta-casein protein, which varies across cow breeds, but current regulations do not take this distinction into account.

The FSSAI order requires food companies to remove such claims from their products. E-commerce platforms are also required to take immediate action to remove such claims from their websites.

Companies have been given six months to use up the existing pre-printed labels. This period cannot be extended. The regulator stressed the importance of strictly complying with this directive.

The distinction between A1 and A2 milk concerns the protein composition of beta-casein, which has become a topic of discussion among both consumers and manufacturers.

A1 and A2 milk differ in the type of beta-casein protein they contain:

• A1 Milk

  Contains A1 beta-casein. This is generally found in the milk of northern European cows or cows originating from there, such as Holstein, Friesian, Ayrshire and British Shorthorn cows. A1 milk is the most commonly used milk and has a higher fat and calorie content than A2 milk.

• A2 Milk

  Contains A2 beta-casein, which is found in the milk of cows from the Channel Islands and the South of France, such as Guernsey, Jersey, Charolais and Limousin. A2 milk has a lower fat content than A1 milk and contains more protein.

According to some studies, A2 milk may be healthier than A1 milk. For example, A2 milk may not cause the same digestive problems and discomfort as A1 milk. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower cholesterol, and potassium, which can help with high blood pressure.

Parag Milk Foods Chairman Devendra Shah welcomed the FSSAI’s decision and described it as a positive step towards consumer protection.

“A1 and A2 are categories that have come into existence through marketing gimmicks. It is important that we eliminate misleading claims that can mislead consumers,” he said in a separate comment. Shah further noted that A1 and A2 dairy categories never really existed and that this trend is declining globally, which supports the FSSAI’s clarification on the matter.

(With PTI inputs)