Rules for the sale of sweets in UP to change from October 15; find out the provisions of the new law..

UP Sweets 'Use-By Date' Rule (2026): Lucknow. If you are fond of sweets and live in Uttar Pradesh, there is good news for you. The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a regulation regarding the sale of sweets that will protect consumers from stale or spoiled products.

Ahead of the festive season, the state's Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has made it mandatory for sweet shops across Uttar Pradesh to display both the date of manufacture and the 'use-by' date (expiry date) on the counter trays and boxes containing sweets. This new rule will come into effect across the state starting October 15, 2026.

**Reason for this move**
Complaints regarding the sale of stale, substandard, and adulterated sweets in markets often surface during festivals. Shopkeepers frequently sell old sweets by passing them off as fresh, which adversely affects customers' health, leading to issues like stomach ailments or food poisoning. The FSDA has taken this decision to effectively curb this problem and ensure that consumers receive pure, safe products. Now, customers will know exactly how long the sweets remain safe for consumption at the time of purchase.

**Know the shelf life of different sweets**
According to food safety standards, different types of sweets have varying shelf lives; details are provided below:

Sweets made from milk and *khoya* (or *mawa*): Items like *Peda*, *Barfi*, *Kalakand*, and *Rasmalai* are suitable for consumption within 1 to 2 days. *Chhena*-based sweets: *Rasgulla* and *Cham-Cham* remain safe for 1 to 2 days at room temperature. Sweets made with *ghee* and dry fruits: Items like *Besan Ladoo*, *Kaju Katli*, and *Soan Papdi* are considered safe for 7 to 15 days. Syrup-based sweets: Items such as Jalebi, Imarti, and Gulab Jamun can be consumed within 2 to 3 days.

Strict monitoring to follow the implementation of new rules
It will be mandatory to display a card on every tray of sweets kept on counters or in showcases, indicating the name of the sweet and its expiry date (i.e., 'Best Before Date' or 'Use By Date').
If sweets are pre-packaged or packed for a customer, the date of manufacture and the expiry date must be clearly mentioned on the box.
Once the rules come into effect, FSDA teams will conduct surprise inspections of shops across various districts of the state. Shopkeepers found violating the rules will face heavy fines and legal action.

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