The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has rescinded its recent advisory that instructed food businesses to remove claims related to ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ types of milk and milk products from their packaging. This decision, announced on Monday, comes as the FSSAI plans to conduct further consultations with industry stakeholders.

The advisory had originally aimed to address concerns about the labeling and marketing of milk products based on their beta-casein protein composition. ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ milk are differentiated by the type of beta-casein protein they contain, which varies depending on the breed of cow.

With the withdrawal of the advisory, food business operators (FBOs) will be permitted to continue selling and marketing their products with ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ claims on labels. The FSSAI’s move reflects the need for more comprehensive discussions and stakeholder input before finalizing any new regulations or guidelines.

The ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ milk debate revolves around claims related to health benefits and potential impacts of different beta-casein proteins, with ‘A2’ milk often promoted for its perceived health advantages over ‘A1’ milk.

The FSSAI’s decision to withdraw the advisory highlights its commitment to ensuring that regulatory measures are well-informed and balanced, considering the views and needs of all affected parties. The food safety regulator will now seek additional feedback to shape future directives on this issue.