Kwality Wall's will convert its entire product portfolio in India to 100% dairy-based ice cream by 2027 [1].
This transition marks the end of a long-standing regulatory conflict regarding how frozen treats are labeled and marketed to Indian consumers. The shift addresses strict food-labeling regulations that distinguish between traditional milk-based ice cream and vegetable-fat-based frozen desserts.
The company announced the plan in 2024 [1]. By removing palm oil from its recipes, Kwality Wall's intends to align its products with the legal definition of ice cream. This move follows roughly 30 years of legal and regulatory debate over the classification of these products [2].
In India, the distinction between ice cream and frozen desserts is not merely semantic. Regulations require a clear divide between products using dairy fats and those using vegetable fats to prevent consumer confusion. This divide has sparked numerous legal battles over the decades, fueled by health-related concerns and transparency in labeling [2], [3].
Critics of the frozen dessert industry have argued that the terminology was used to obscure the ingredients. Vir Sanghvi said, "For decades, big brands fooled Indians into thinking that congealed vegetable fat was ice cream" [3].
The transition to a fully dairy-based lineup represents a significant operational shift for the brand. The company is now working toward the 2027 target to ensure all offerings meet the dairy-based standard [1].
“Kwality Wall's will convert its entire product portfolio in India to 100% dairy-based ice cream by 2027.”
The decision by Kwality Wall's signals a victory for Indian food-labeling regulators and a shift in consumer expectations toward transparency. By abandoning vegetable fats, the company is acknowledging that the 'frozen dessert' label has become a liability rather than a cost-saving advantage. This move may pressure other manufacturers in the region to either reformulate their products or accept stricter labeling that clearly separates dairy-free alternatives from traditional ice cream.
