A2 labelling of cow, buffalo milk and its products to go

Vadodara: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s ( FSSAI ’s) directive asking companies to stop using labels such as A1 and A2 on dairy products like milk, ghee, butter, and curd has forced small and emerging food business operators and even GCMMF to change their milk portfolios. At a time when several companies, including privately owned dairy farms, have mushroomed selling milk and its products as A2 by claiming it to be a healthier variant and charging a premium, the statutory body under the Union ministry of health and family welfare has instructed all the food business operators to “remove such claims from their products.” FSSAI’s directive issued on Aug 21 states that food businesses are selling/marketing milk and milk products such as ghee, butter, curd, etc.

, in the name of A1 and A2 under FSSAI license number. “The distinction between A1 and A2 milk is based solely on the structure of a protein called beta-casein, which can confuse consumers,” the advisory states. FSSAI has given six months to companies to exhaust their existing products which have A1 and A2 labels, after which these shouldn’t carry such claims.

Amul has traditionally termed A2 milk as a “marketing gimmick.” But over the years, it has also has rolled out milk variants including Deshi A2 cow milk, A2 buffalo milk, and A2 Gir cow milk (in pet bottles) albeit without charging a premium unlike private players. In 2016, ‘Amul Deshi’ A2 cow milk of Kankrej cow was launch.