New standards for all pulses, pearl millet grains & couscous in force

The country’s apex food regulator, in a bid to further expedite the process of standard-setting, has…

The country’s apex food regulator, in a bid to further expedite the process of standard-setting, has brought new standards for all pulses, whole and decorticated pearl millet grains, degermed maize flour and maize grit, couscous, tempe, textured soy protein, sago flour bee wax and royal jelly into force with effect from January 1, 2019.

The other standards in place since the aforementioned date are microbiological standards for fruits and vegetables and their products, all provisions for organic food regulations and standards for honey (except a few parameters, where test methods are being validated).

The tolerance limit of antibiotics and pharmacology active substances also came into effect on January 1, 2019.

Representations have, however, been received from various stakeholders highlighting some technical issues, hence the compliance period is being extended by three months to sort out these issues.

Standards for alcoholic beverages will come into force on April 1, 2019 to coincide with financial year requirements’ excise laws.

July 1 stds
Food fortification regulations will come into force on July 1, 2019. New standards for fruits and vegetables, including canned tomato, jam, jelly and marmalade, that were notified earlier, had come into effect on July 1, 2018.

The revised standards for milk and milk products came into force on July 1, 2018, except the compliance of labelling requirements for frozen dessert, which would apply from July 1, 2019, unless reviewed.

The regulations on advertising and claims, packaging and labelling requirements of blended edible vegetable oils will come into force on July 1, 2019.

Food businesses are usually provided a period of at least six months as a transition period before new standards come into force, and the date the standards become effective is either January 1 or July 1.

Year 2018 has been very eventful for FSSAI. During the year, the country’s apex food regulator accelerated the process of standard-setting. As many as 27 new regulations for food standards were notified during the year.

Some of the key regulations included the ones on alcoholic beverages, food fortification, advertising and claims, packaging, residues of pesticides, tolerance limits of antibiotics and pharmacologically-active substances.