FSSAI Operationalises the Revised Standards for Honey

FSSAI Operationalizes the Revised Standards for Honey

9-July-2020

Through a notification dated 1 July 2020 the FSSAI has issued directions for the operationalization of the revised standards for honey in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additive) Amendment Regulations, 2019.

Standards for honey had been notified on 31 July 2018 and subsequently there was a revision for the parameter for pollen count and deletion of parameters for specific marker for Rice Syrup (SMR), Trace marker for Rice Syrup (TMR) and Foreign oligosaccharides on 29 October 2019.

• However, based on the approval of Food Authority on the method of detection of 2-Acetylfuran-3-Glucopyranoside (2-AFGP)/3-0-Alpha-D-Glucosyl Isomaltol, the specific marker for Rice Syrup (SMR), LC-MS the parameter specific marker for Rice Syrup (SMR) was reinstated through a notification dated 5 June 2020.
• Further, The Scientific Panel on Methods of Sampling and analysis in its 28th Meeting held on18 June, 2020 has recommended the method for determination of Foreign Oligosaccharides in Honey. Hence, it has been decided to reinstate the parameter Foreign Oligosaccharides also in the standards of Honey.

Besides the above reinstatement of parameters, the FSSAI has also included some other revisions in the standards of Honey amendment regulations, which are in the process of being notified. The process of draft notification, considerations of comments, if any that may be received thereon and the finalization of these regulations are likely to take some time. Meanwhile, in order to address the trade issue particularly on adulteration, it has been decided to operationalize these amendment regulations as given below.

This direction will supersede the earlier directions issued on 29.10.2019 and 05.06.2020 as and will come into force with immediate effect. However, in respect of the provisions, other than the parameters and limit thereof as prescribed under the item (V) of enclosed amendment regulations, the compliance shall commence after six months from the date of issuance of this direction.

The Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additive) Amendment Regulations, 2020 on revision of standards for Honey as given hereby have been operationalised with immediate effect. The concerned Food Business Operators shall now follow these regulations.     

However, in respect of the provisions, other than the parameters and limit thereof as prescribed under the item (V) ‘parameters and for honey’ of these amendment regulations, the compliance shall commence after six months from the date of issuance of this direction.

In the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, in regulation 2.8 relating to Sweetening agents including Honey, in the sub-regulation 2.8.3 related to Honey and its by-products the definition (Clause (1) of honey has been amended to the following

(1) Honey is the natural sweet substance produced by honey bees from the nectar of plants or from secretions of living parts of plants or excretions of plant sucking insects on the living parts of plants, which the bees collect, transform by combining with specific substances of their own, deposit, dehydrate, store and leave in the honeycomb to ripen and mature.

1. a) Blossom Honey or Nectar Honey is the honey which comes from nectars of plants.
2. b) Honeydew Honey is the honey which comes mainly from excretions of plant sucking insects (Hemiptera) on the living parts of plants or secretions of living parts of plants.

The Table (V) Honey shall comply with the following requirements has been amended and the parameters and limits will be now as follows.

The item (vii and (Viii) in the clauses of regulation honey and its by-products shall be replaced with the following

(vii) In addition to the labelling provisions as given in the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, the following specific provisions shall be applicable for labelling of honey:

(a) Honey shall be labelled as:

1. Honeydew Honey – If the product complies with the definitions given in part 1 (i) of this standard

1. Blend of Honeydew Honey and Blossom Honey – If the product is mixture of Blossom or Nectar Honey and Honeydew honey

1. CarviaCallosa Honey – If the honey is derived from flower of Carviacallosa plant which is described as thixotropic and is gel like extremely viscous when standing still and turns into liquid when agitated or stirred.

(b)  If the honey is obtained by pressing brood-less combs, honey shall be labelled as “Pressed Honey”. If honey belongs to any of the categories mentioned at a) above and also falling into the category of pressed honey, it shall be labelled as “Pressed Honeydew Honey” or “Pressed and Blend of Honeydew Honey and Blossom Honey” or “Pressed CarviaCallosa Honey”.

(viii) Honey may be labelled as follows, according to floral or plant source, if it comes from any particular source and has the organoleptic, physicochemical and microscopic properties corresponding with that origin. It shall be in addition to the labelling requirements as given at vii) above:

1. Monofloral Honey – If the minimum pollen content of the plant species concerned is not less than 45 percent of total pollen content;
2. Multi Floral Honey – If the pollen content of any of the plant species does not exceed 45 percent of the total pollen content;”

A new clause (ix) has been added to Honey and its by products which is as follows

(ix) The said standards are applicable to packaged/ processed honey.”

FSSAI Notification

FSSAI Notice for Carrying out Surveillance on use of Stapled Tea Bags

Through a notice dated 29th June 2020,the FSSAI has asked the concerned authorities to carry out surveillance on the manufacture and import of stapled tea bags.

The FSSAI had taken cognizance of the risk to public safety, posed from any loose staple pins being consumed inadvertently with their tea, as this could cause serious health hazards. In this regard the FSSAI had issued directions on 18 July, 2017 for discontinuation of the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of stapled tea bags which was to be effective from 1 January, 2018. However, based on the representations received from industries and food business operators, seeking extension of date for compliance of these directions, the implementation of this direction was further extended to 30 June 2019 vide an order dated 15 November, 2017.

Through an order dated 25 January 2019, the FSSAI had communicated that any further extension on the use of stapled tea bags beyond 30 June 2019 would be considered on a case by case basis subject to the following conditions

• Extension of time may be given based on the firm commitment from the FBOs with proper proof to change over within a specified time.
• FBOs in the tea bag manufacturing business were to submit their plans to the FSSAI for the change over to the new system by procuring new machines or modifying the existing machines.

Accordingly based on the roadmap received for the complete switchover to staple less tea bags the FSSAI allowed time line to 16 FBOs to manufacture tea bags with staple pins up to 31 December 2021 and such tea bags are permitted to be sold in the domestic market up to 31 December 2023 only.

The FSSAI has observed that a number of FBOs manufacturing staple tea bags have either not sought extension of timeline for compliance or have not responded to further queries raised by FSSAI with regard to their proposal for migration from stapled tea bags to staple-less tea bags.

In view of the above the FSSAI has now requested the Commissioners of Food Safety of all States and UTs and Central Licensing Authorities to carry out surveillance on the manufacture and import of stapled tea bags in their respective areas of jurisdiction.The action taken report in this regard has to be also be communicated to the FSSAI.

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FSSAI Operationalises the Revised Standards for Honey

Through a notification published on 29 October 2019 the FSSAI has operationalized the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations 2019 related to the revision of standards for honey.

FSSAI framed the draft Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2019 related to the revision of standards of Honey with regard to parameters for Pollen count, Specific marker for Rice Syrup (SMR), Trace marker for Rice Syrup (TMR) and Foreign oligosaccharides.

The FSSAI has stated that the draft regulations are in the process of being notified and the process of draft notification, consideration of comments if any that may be received thereon, and the finalization of these regulations are likely to take some time. Meanwhile, to address the issue of the Food Business Operators to comply with the present standards of honey with respect to the parameters mentioned above, the FSSAI has decided to operationalize these regulations with immediate effect.

The revised standards for honey that have been operationalized for honey are as follows.

Notice for operationalization of draft Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2019

1. These regulations may be called the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2019.
2. In the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, under regulation 2.8 “Sweetening Agents including Honey”, in sub-regulation 2.8.3 relating to Honey and its by-products, the limits for pollen count was given as 25000 but the parameter for pollen has been amended to the following limits.

12.

Pollen count and plant elements/g, Min.

5000

The parameters for the following have been omitted in the revised amendment.

13. Specific marker for Rice Syrup (SMR)
14. Trace marker for Rice Syrup (TMR)
15. Foreign oligosaccharides

Download the Direction dated 29th October 2019

FSSAI Advisory on Labelling Defects of Health Supplements and Nutraceutical Products

Through an advisory dated 18 September 2019, the FSSAI has drawn attention to certain labelling defects on packaging of Health Supplements and Nutraceutical products. The advisory has been sent so that both food manufacturers as well as FSSAI officials can keep a check to ensure that the labelling is accurate.

The FSSAI has received reports that some food products including Nutraceuticals and Health Supplements products that have gelatine/gelatin shells or which contain ingredients of animal origin are depicting a green dot on their labels. The green dot logo is a mark that declares these products as vegetarian products. Therefore, marking such products as vegetarian is in contravention of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations 2011, which mandates application of the veg/no-veg logo on pre-packed food products according to their contents. The above-mentioned labelling shall therefore, be considered as misbranding and labelling defects.

It may be noted that all the food products falling under the category of Nutraceutical/Health Supplement shall have to comply with the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceutical, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016 as well as the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulation, 2011, failing which they will attract penal provisions under FSS Act, 2006.

In view of the above the FSSAI has requested Commissioners of Food Safety of all States/ UTs, FSSAI Authorised Officers and the Central Licensing Authority to initiate enforcement drives so as to keep a check on the sale of such food products in all states and which are in contravention with FSS (Packaging and Labelling) Regulation, 2011. They have also been advised to initiate appropriate action against the defaulting Food Business Operators as per the provisions laid down under FSS Act,2006, and Rules and Regulations made thereunder.

FSSAI makes it mandatory for Food Safety Audit of Food Business falling under high risk category.

Order dated 13th August 2019 relating to Mandating food safety audit of Food Businesses holding Central License and falling under high risk categories of food businesses under the Food Safety and 
Standards (Food Safety Auiditing) Regulations, 2018 
[Updated on:09-09-2019

Download the Order dated 13.8.2019

New FSSAI bamboo guidelines bring clarity on use in spoons, fork, cups

Wednesday, 11 September 2019, 08: 00 AM [IST]

Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi

The apex food regulator, FSSAI, has issued guidelines for using bamboo as food contact material, these need to be followed in manufacturing, handling and using of bamboo items such as spoons, fork, knife, straw, stirrer, and cups.

The advisory issued by FSSAI says that the Scientific Committee on Food Additive, Processing Aids and Material in Contact with Foods and Scientific Panel on Biological Hazards have examined the safety aspects of the food contact material manufactured from bamboo and observed that there is no reported literature available regarding contamination of food from use of such utensils made from bamboo.

The advisory states, “Their use as food contact materials if manufactured and maintained under hygienic conditions are safe.”

The guidelines say that the final products manufactured from bamboo shall comply with the minimum requirement such as the tools should have a smooth surface free from dirt, off-odor and coloration, free from chemical contaminants and microbial pathogens. They must be durable and reusable having a good shelf life.

The advisory also adds that the advertisement of such tools shall not mislead the consumers and shall be consistent with the actual composition of the products.

FSSAI has further directed the manufacturers of bamboo food contact items that such material shall be manufactured and handled under hygienic conditions so as to prevent any physical, chemical and microbial contamination. And it should only be made from edible bamboo varieties and shall not contain any material in combination with bamboo while it should be disinfected in salt, neem and boiling water.

The advisory says that good hygiene practices shall be followed at each and every step of manufacturing, handling, and storage of these food contact materials.

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FSSAI planning to have presence in more entry points, especially ports

Saturday, 22 December, 2018, 08 : 00 AM [IST] Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi With matter related to food safety taking centre stage in the country, and people getting more and more aware about the subject, the role of FSSAI and its presence is gaining importance. In fact, in recent times, the apex food regulator has made its intention clear to increase its presence particularly at the ports from where the food is imported into the country. FSSAI operates through five regional offices in the country in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai and Guwahati. Further it has import offices at six locations across the country that cover 20 ports of entry. However there are 396 such entry points across the country where the FSSAI has allowed Customs officials to handle the food. CEO FSSAI Pawan Agarwal says that the apex food regulator is planning to have its presence in more points of entry, which is currently under Customs. He informed, “We are reviewing our placements across the ports in the country and we wish to place more of our men on some of these ports currently managed by the Customs.” Not only this, FSSAI may consider making specific ports exclusive for the purpose of entry of food. This, however, the CEO says would only be possible if there was unanimity among the stakeholders. “We’re open to this idea that selective ports should be reserved exclusively for food imports. However, the matter is subjected to acceptance by all the stakeholders and it shouldn’t be a cause of inconvenience for anybody,” he said. Sanctioning of 500 posts Further, recently the FSSAI has got its recruitment rules notified and sanctioning of 500 new posts, mostly technical which now has raised the total posts close to 900.  These, however, certainly are not enough for a huge country like India but are seen as a breakthrough and FSSAI is hopeful that in future more human resources would be added to its fold. Experts feel that India is a large country with massive and unorganised food and hospitality sectors. The demand for manpower in FSSAI offices across all the states is justified on the grounds of ensuring public safety mainly. But comparing India with other countries in terms of manpower and financial resources, India is well below international benchmarks, both in overall and per capita terms. India has a population base of over 1,252 million compared to base of approximately 324 million, 36 million, 64 million and 4.75 million vis-à-vis other major countries like USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland respectively.  The annual budget allocated to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (principal organisation for administering Food Standards) is merely $8.2 million approximately which is quite low compared to annual budget of $1.5 billion, $650 million, $106 million and $16.7 million of counterpart organisations in USA, Canada, the UK and Ireland respectively. source