The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Thursday (22 August) issued a directive to food companies, including e-commerce platforms, to remove the “A1” and “A2” labels on milk and milk product packaging as these labels are “misleading”.

According to FSSAI, these claims are not in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

In its latest ruling, the Food Safety Authority stated that it had examined the facts and found that the differentiation of milk into Al and A2 molecules is essentially related to differences in protein structure (beta-casein).

“Therefore, use of any A2 claim on milk fat products is misleading and not in accordance with the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006…,” the FSSAI order said.

“FBOs are instructed to remove such claims from their products,” the regulator said, referring to food business operators.

In addition, e-commerce platforms have been instructed to immediately remove these claims from their products and websites.

Companies have been given a six-month period to use up existing pre-printed labels. No further extension is permitted.

The distinction between A1 and A2 milk results from the different beta-casein protein composition, which varies depending on the cow breed.

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