With 12,000 New Standards By FSSAI Things Are Starting To Look Up

Post the ‘ban wave’ the entire processed food market has found itself wandering on wafer-thin ice. This in turn has not only affected consumer behavior in India but has stalled all overseas investments and killed all scope for innovation in this sector. At some levels even hampering the ‘Make In India’ initiative.

But the FSSAI, which played the “bad cop” in Nestlé Maggi’s case, has come up with new standards that might just speed up things and benefit the brands.

FSSAI’s “Good Cop” Move

Food safety regulator FSSAI has finalized 12,000 standards for food additives and ingredients in line with global safety standards Codex, in order to do away with lengthy process of product approval.

The move is expected to benefit food companies, as they would not require seeking product approval from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) if they comply with these standards. At present, there are 375 FSSAI safety standards for food items but none for food additives and ingredients.

“FSSAI has approved 12,000 standards for food additives and ingredients. The law ministry is vetting the standards and a notification will be issued soon,” a senior health ministry official told PTI.

The New Standards

The new FSSAI standards are in harmony with the global food standards of Codex Alimentarius Commission, established by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization, the official said.

FSSAI, under the guidance of the Health Ministry, has fixed maximum limit for use of food additives in various food groups to ensure that the intake of additives does not exceed the acceptable daily intake.

Similarly, it has set norms for use of ingredients in preparation of processed food items. After the Maggi controversy, the FSSAI has stepped up measures to strengthen the quality standards for food products.

It is reviewing the existing standards set for caffeine content, metal and toxic contaminants and other residues in the food products. The regulator is also in the process of setting standards for imported food items to ensure safe products are sold in the domestic market.

After the Maggi controversy, the FSSAI has stepped up measures to strengthen the quality standards for food products. It is reviewing the existing standards set for caffeine content, metal and toxic contaminants and other residues in the food products.

The regulator is also in the process of setting standards for imported food items to ensure safe products are sold in the domestic market.