FSSAI Clarifies Standards of Hypoallergenic Infant Milk Substitutes

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) with the approval of all the Competent Authority has clarified the standards of hypoallergenic infant milk substitutes specified under Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020.

The apex body of Food Safety has drawn reference to the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations 2020 published in Gazette of India on 4th December, 2020. The regulations throw light on standards for infant food including hypoallergenic infant milk substitutes. Notably, the date of compliance of these regulations was extended up to 01″ April, 2022.

Consequently, in this regard a direction dated 30.06.2021 was issued to allow the import of two Hypoallergenic Conditions (i.e. severe allergy due to multiple food protein intolerance that cannot be effectively managed by extensively hydrolyzed formula, and cow milk protein allergy) till 31.03.2022.

FSSAI has further clarified that regulation 15(1)(a) of ibid Regulations already covers hypoallergenic infant milk substitute products based on extensively hydrolyzed whey protein or casein or free amino acids. Hence two hypoallergenic conditions mentioned above are included in the regulations. 

The Food Business Operators (FBOs) should fulfill the standards of hypoallergenic infant milk substitute as specified under the above mentioned regulations which will come into effect on 01″ Apri1, 2022.

View FSSAI document

FSSAI’s Directions on Extension of Validity of the NOC for Alcoholic Beverages

In order to facilitate trade and ease of doing business reforms the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India(FSSAI) has decided that for the imported consignments of alcoholic beverages bottled in origin & in bulk, containing more than 10 percent alcohol which does not have an expiry date. 

The NOC issued as per the FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017 shall have a validity of 300 days. For consignments lying at ports/Customs area beyond 300 days, on payment of visual inspection fee, visual inspection may be carried out for revalidation of NOC.

The directions shall be valid till further orders in this regard. The decision has been taken with the approval of Competent Authority in exercise of the power vested with Food Authority under Section 16(5) of the FSS Act, 2006.


View document : FSSAI.

FSSAI issues Gazette Notification on Amendment Regulations Related to Sampling of Food Imported for Production of Value Added products for 100 per cent exports

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, with the previous approval of the Central Government has made the following regulations, further to amend the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017. 

“the articles of food or ingredients or additive imported by the manufacturers or processors for their captive use or production of value added products for hundred per cent exports; or the consignments of articles of food or ingredients or additives imported by the firms or companies for use of their sister concerns or wholly owned subsidiary companies, to be used for hundred per cent export production subject to a defined relationship agreement between the two entities in this behalf and accompanied with Sanitary/Health Certificate issued by the Competent Authority of an exporting country”;

To read the entire regulations click on the link below;

Source: FSSAI

FSSAI Extends Date of Compliance of Foods for Infants with Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM)

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) along with the approval of Competent Authorities has extended the timeline for compliance of standards for Infants with Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM) specified under Food Safety and Standards(Foods for Infant Nutrition Regulations 2020. The date is extended up to 01st April 2022.

Notably, in this regard, a direction dated 30.06.2021 was issued to allow the import of  food products for IEM conditions till 31.03.2022. Significantly, the regulation 16(1)(e) of the above mentioned regulations states that “ the food Authority shall specify the IEM conditions as approved by it after undertaking proper scientific evaluation. 

No Food Business Operator (FBO) shall manufacture, sell, market, or import products  for IEM conditions except those specified by the food authority from time to time”.  

In exercise of the power mentioned in the regulation 16(1) (e) as above, the Food Authority has approved the list of IEM conditions as per Annexure I. The list will come into effect from 01″ April, 2022. Till such time, the direction issued on 30.06.2021 will continue to be in force.

 Click on the link below to read the  list of  Inborn errors of Metabolism(IEM) Conditions.

Source : FSSAI Document

FSSAI on Declaration of Percentage Contribution to Recommended Dietary Allowance

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India(FSSAI) has drawn reference to the Sub-Regulation 5(3)(b) of Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Display) Regulations, 2020, which stipulates labeling of Nutritional Information per 100g or l00ml or per single consumption pack of the product and per serve percentage (%) contribution to Recommended Dietary Allowance calculated on the basis of 2000kcal energy, 67 g total fat, 22 g saturated fat, 2 g trans-fat, 50 g added sugar and 2000 mg of sodium (5 g salt) requirement for average adult per day, on the label.

The apex body of food safety has received several representations from stakeholders  regarding declaration of percentage (%) contribution to RDA in case of foods targeted for specific age groups and this concern is under consideration of sub-group constituted by FSSAI.

Significantly,  the enforcement of FSS (Labeling & Display) Regulation would begin from 1″ July, 2022. It has been clarified that foods which are targeted to a specific age group or physiological condition respective RDA’s may be considered for declaring per serve percentage (%) RDA – as per the direction F.No. Stds/SP–05Orders FSSAI dated 2″August, 2021 – issued based on the recommended dietary allowance specified by the Indian Council of Medical Research.

The directions have been issued with  the approval of Competent Authority in exercise of the power vested with Food Authority under section 16(5) of FSS Act, 2006.

Click here to read the FSSAI document

FSSAI to take stringent action against Malpractices in Disposal of Used Cooking Oil.

 Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a Standard Operating Procedure on Regulatory action against malpractices in disposal of used cooking oil.

 The Apex body of food safety has drawn reference to order no 1-2/Stds/O&F/Notification n (II)/FSSAI-2018 dated 06.05.2019 regarding enrolment of Biodiesel plants under Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) initiative for collection of Used Cooking Oil (UCO) from Food Business Operators.

Meanwhile,  FSSAI is also initiating a similar enrollment process for manufacturers of soap, lubricants, etc. It has stated that it is indispensable to ensure that the UCO collected by the FSSAI enrolled biodiesel plants, manufacturers of soap, lubricant, etc is utilized only for preparation of the intended product and not redirected to the food supply chain.

FSSAI has taken decision along with the approval of all the Competent Authorities that in case of any malpractice is observed against the FSSAI enrolled biodiesel plants, manufacturers of soap, lubricant, etc and/or their aggregator/collection agency then suitable regulatory action must be taken against them by regulatory officials.

 Similar actions are required in respect of FBOs not disposing of UCO as per the directions issued by FSSAI. It has been notified that the regulatory officials may refer to the SOP on Regulatory Action against Malpractices in Disposal of UCO at Annex A for taking suitable action against the non-compliant FSSAI enrolled biodiesel plants, manufacturers of soap lubricant, etc, their aggregators and FBOs.

To read the complete SOP on regulatory action against malpractices in Disposal of Used Cooking Oil, click on the link below.

Click here to read/download the document.

FSSAI Clarifies On Blend Of Oils In Premixes Admixtures

The FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 through its Sub regulation 2.2.1(24) have specified the standards for Multi source edible oils.

It has been stated that an admixture of any two edible vegetable oils where the proportions by weight of any edible vegetable oil used in the admixture shall be less than 20 per cent. The individual oils in the blend should be in compliance with the standards prescribed in the regulations.

Sub regulation 2.1.1 of the FSS (Prohibition and Restriction on sale) Regulations 2011 states that notwithstanding the provision of 2.7 of labelling and packaging regulations, no person shall either by himself or by any servant or agent sell any multi source edible vegetable oil containing mustard oil manufactured on or after 8th June 2021.

It is clarified that restrictions are not applicable to a blend of edible oils intended to be used as an intermediate product (ingredient pre-mix) in the manufacture of other products by other food businesses. In compliance with the following conditions;

• Such a blend of multiple edible oils should not be sold in the retail market and a clarification by a food business operator to this effect (such as ‘Not for retail sale’ / “For use as a pre-mix in formulating a product’) should be suitably identifiable with the product.

• Both the manufacturer and user of such ingredient pre-mix shall maintain all records in respect of their inventory and produce the inventory records as and when sought by the Food Authority.

• It is also clarified that such blends, since intended for intermediary use, shall be licensed under Category 99 (99.1).

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