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).
FSSAI Revises Limits On Antimicrobials, Crop Contaminants and Naturally Occurring Toxic Substances
The new amendment regulations prescribe revised limits to crop contaminants and naturally occurring toxic substances in wheat, wheat bran, rye and barley. The amendment notification also prescribed a list of 14 antimicrobials and other drugs as prohibited for use in the production of meat, meat products, milk, milk products, poultry, eggs, and aquaculture.
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.
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
FSSAI Proposes Amendments to Food Import Regulations
The FSSAI is proposing to update the methods of analysis used for testing imported food samples. While the Authority’s manuals will remain the primary reference, food laboratories will now have the flexibility to adopt validated methods prescribed by internationally recognized organizations. Additionally, it is also proposed that the director of notified laboratories or referral laboratories can be the authorised signatory on analysis reports.
FSSAI Introduces New Draft Regulations for Primary Milk Producers
Primary milk producers must register with the FSSAI. Hawkers and primary milk producers who are not members of dairy cooperative societies will be exempt from registration fees. The draft regulations also propose measures for handling, storage and transportation of milk, dairy sanitation, hygienic production of milk and environmental hygiene.
FSSAI Seeks Feedback on Ayurveda Aahara Compendium
The compendium is based on recipes found in 71 authoritative Ayurveda texts, as defined by the Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahara) Regulations, 2022. Before finalizing the compendium, the FSSAI is inviting comments, views, and suggestions from stakeholders. All comments and suggestions must be submitted by October 31, 2024.
FSSAI Publishes Draft Contaminants, Toxins, and Residues Regulations
FSSAI seeks to revise limits of metal contaminant, crop contaminants and naturally occurring toxic substances and antibiotics. The draft amendment regulations also modify the table for total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B1 in oilseeds and oils. Additionally, they introduce a new entry for saffrole in the table for naturally occurring toxic substances.
FSSAI Publishes Latest List of Accredited Food Testing Laboratories
The list specifies a total of 219 FSSAI Notified NABL Accredited Food Testing Laboratories with valid accreditation. Additionally the list also specifies, 25 FSSAI notified laboratories whose NABL accreditation validity has expired or are under suspension or under process of denotification or have shifted premise without Integrated assessment.
FSSAI Clarifies Testing Fee Reduction for Pan-India Surveillance
The FSSAI has now clarified that the reduction applies exclusively to surveillance activities undertaken by the QA Division of FSSAI HQ. It does not extend to surveys conducted under the National Annual Surveillance Plan (NASP) or any other regular surveillance programs implemented by states or union territories.
