FSSAI Enlarges Powers Of Its Adjudicating Officers

These amendments aim to enlarges the powers of its Adjudicating Officers for purpose of adjudicating offences under the Food Safety Act, 2006. he rules state that the Adjudicating Officer shall now also have power to hold an inquiry for purpose of adjudicating offences of providing false information and carrying out a business without licence.

India Removes Minimum Export Price (MEP) on Non-Basmati White Rice

The Government of India has removed the Minimum Export Price (MEP) on the export of Non-Basmati White Rice, effective from October 23, 2024. The decision was made through an amendment to the Foreign Trade Policy, specifically for the HS Code 1006 30 90, which covers Non-Basmati White Rice. The removal of the MEP is expected to make Indian non-basmati rice more competitive in the global market.

FSSAI Introduces Amendments To Food Products and Food Additives Standards

The minimum percentage of milk fat content in Khoa has been reduced from 30% to 27%. The compositional standards for Processed Cheese Spread and Mozzarella Cheese have been revised. Standards for Corn Oil have been added, including specifications for fatty acid composition and other parameters. Additionally, standards have been established for rice flour used in the preparation of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK).

Government Launches Bharat Chana Dal Phase II to Boost Supplies

The second phase of the Bharat Chana Dal initiative aims to release 3 lakh tons of chana stock from the price stabilization buffer to increase the availability of chana dal and chana whole in the market. Chana dal will be retailed at Rs. 70 per kg, and chana whole at Rs. 58 per kg. The government has also expanded the Bharat brand to include moong and masur dals.

FSSAI Removes Several Restrictions On Sale of Food Products

The amendment regulations have removed the requirements of AGMARK certification mark on the labels of sealed packages of Multi-Source Edible Oils and fat spreads. The amendment regulations also omit the restriction on sale of ghee having less Reichert value than that specified for the area where such ghee is sold.

India Adopts Iron-Fortified Rice Initiative

The Indian government has issued a press release on its initiative to provide fortified rice under various welfare schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). This decision aims to address micronutrient deficiencies in the country. This press release was issued on October 17, 2024.

FSSAI Mandates Use of NABL Symbol in Reporting Formats

All FSSAI-notified food testing laboratories accredited under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 are now required to include the NABL symbol on their test reports for tests that fall within their scope of accreditation. The FSSAI has introduced new test report formats, Form VII A and Form XI, to be used for all surveillance and enforcement samples. For imported food products, notified laboratories and referral laboratories must use Form – 2