Acid use in Food Processing

Regulation 3.1.12(ii) of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 prescribes the standards and limits of acids as buffering agents to be used in  food processing. The details are annexed.

The implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 rests with the State/U.T. Governments. In this regard, random samples are drawn regularly by the State/U.T. Governments and penal action is taken against the offenders, in cases where samples are found to be nonconforming to the provisions of the Act and Regulations and Rules made there under.

Annexure

Section 3.1.12: SEQUESTERING AND BUFFERING AGENTS
(ACIDS, BASES AND SALTS)

(i) “Sequestering agents” means substances which prevent adverse effect of metals catalyzing the oxidative break-down of food forming chelates; thus inhibiting decolourisation, off taste and rancidity;

(ii) “Buffering agents” means materials used to counter acidic and alkaline changes during storage or processing steps, thus improving the flavor and increasing the stability of foods;

1)      Restrictions on the use of sequestering and buffering agents.

Unless otherwise provided in these regulations the sequestering and buffering agents specified in column (1) of the Table below, may be used in the groups of food specified in the corresponding entry in column (2) of the said Table, in concentration not exceeding the proportions specified in the corresponding entry in column (3) of the said Table:

TABLE

Sl No.	Name of sequestering and buffering agents	Group of food	Maximum level of use (parts per million) (ppm) (mg/kg)
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)
1.	Acetic Acid	(i) Acidulant, buffering and neutralizing agents in beverages soft drinks (ii) in canned baby foods	Limited by G.M.P. 5000
2.	Adipic Acid	Salt substitute and dietary food	250
3.	Calcium Gluconate	In confections	2500
4.	Calcium Carbonate	As a neutralizer in number of foods	10000
5.	Calcium Oxide	As a neutraliser in specified dairy product	2500
6.	Citric acid malic acid	Carbonated beverage and as an acidulant in miscellaneous foods	Limited by G.M.P.
7.	DL Lactic Acid (food grade)	As an acidulant in miscellaneous foods	Limited by G.M.P.
8.	L(+) Lactic Acid (food grade)	As an acidulant in miscellaneous foods	Limited by G.M.P.
9.	Phosphoric Acid	Beverages, soft drinks	600
10.	Polyphosphate containing less than 6 Phosphate moleties	(a) Processed cheese, bread (b) Milk Preparations (c) Cake mixes (d) Protein foods	40000 4000 10000 4000
11.	L(+) Tartaric acid	Acidulants	600
12.	Calcium Disodium, Ethylene, Diamine tetra acetate	(i) Emulsions containing refined vegetable oils, eggs, vinegar, salt, sugar and spices; (ii) Salad dressing; (iii) Sandwich spread or fat Spread	50
13.	Fumaric acid	As an acidulant in miscellaneous foods	3000ppm

Note:- DL Lactic acid and L(+) Tartaric acid shall not be added to any food meant for children below 12 months (The lactic acid shall also conform to the specification laid down by the Indian Standards Institution.)

This information was given by Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare ShriGhulamNabi Azadin written reply to a question in the LokSabha today.