Amul bogged by manufacturing date controversy

The leading dairy cooperative Amul fell into a controversy on Monday when social media was flooded with an image of Amul Gold milk pouch bearing date 23 Jul 14 on the seal area.

The message that was being circulated on WhatsApp and FB with the Amul milk pouch read: “Today is 21 July, 2014 but this milk was packed on 23 July, 2014!! Think how fresh this milk could be?”

Several friends of Amul posted counter replies indicating that it the date of best use and not the manufacturing date. While the controversy was raging in the social media, the parent cooperative behemoth GCMMF which owns Amul was forced to issue clarification on Tuesday.

The clarification read: “Dear our esteemed customers! This is in response to the picture of Amul Pouch Milk packet currently being circulated on whatsapp and other social media channels. Wish to inform you that under current FSSAI regulations- Food products, having shelf life of less than 7 days, should have to print the “use by date” on their packing’s.

So, 23rd July’2014 is the use by date and not the packing date. This info.is also printed on the packets (please see attached). Thanks!”