FSSAI - OFFICE MEMORANDUM

BEST PRACTICES W.R.T ENFORCEMENT OF LICENSING & REGISTRATION

DINAMALAR NEWS

After surprise inspections, EU bans import of fruit and veg from India

At a European Union’s (EU) Standing Committee meeting on plant health, experts from its member states imposed bans on taro, mango, bitter gourd, eggplant and snake gourd from India. The decision was aimed at tackling the significant shortcomings in system of phytosanitary certification, which these products had to obtain before being exported to the EU.

It was taken after the emergency measures proposed by the European Commission, which recently undertook unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the automotive exhaust systems industry in several member states. The Commission was concerned that the firms concerned violated EU anti-trust rules, which prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices and/or abuse of the market position. 

The European Union’s press release stated that a number of consignments containing the aforementioned fruit and vegetables were intercepted upon arrival in the EU. It was found that they were infested with quarantine pests, mainly insects such as non-European fruitflies. The prohibited commodities represented less than five per cent of the total fresh fruit and vegetables imported to the EU from India. 

“However, the potential introduction of new pests could pose a threat to EU agriculture and production. Such pests were reportedly found in 207 consignments of fruit and vegetables from India imported to the EU in 2013. The measures would become applicable from May 2014, and a revision would take place before December 31, 2015,” it added.

“We are surprised with the bans on these items by EU. We were in high-level talks to export a better quality of fruit and vegetables. Most of the bans were imposed because of the organisms and diseases found in the fruit and vegetables. EU notified that it would revise the decision only at the end of 2015. But our delegations are in constant touch with EU officials and would visit Europe next week,” said Sudhanshu, regional head, west region, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

Specific food labelling requirements for ensuring food safety standards of other food products : Module 13

Specific Labeling Requirements of other Products

There are some special instructions need to be followed while doing labelling of certain food products. We will discuss in detail as how food labelling practices would be followed in declaring the information on labels.

13.1 Mixture of coffee and chicory

(i) The packages of a mixture of coffee and chicory shall bear the following label declaration:

Coffee blended with Chicory

This mixture contains

Coffee…………………………… Per cent

Chicory………………………….. Per cent

(ii) The packages of Instant Coffee-Chicory mixture shall bear the following label declaration ;

Instant Coffee-Chicory mixture made from blends of coffee and chicory

Coffee…………………………… Per cent

Chicory………………………….. Per cent

13.2. CONDENSED MILK OR DESICCATED (DRIED) MILK:

The packages of condensed milk or desiccated (dried) milk shall bear one of the following label declarations, as may be applicable ,—

(i) In the case of condensed milk (unsweetened):

CONDENSED MILK UNSWEETENED

(Evaporated Milk) (This tin contains the equivalent) of (x)……… litres of toned milk

(ii) In the case of condensed milk (sweetened):

CONDENSED MILK SWEETENED

This tin contains the equivalent of (x)……… litres of toned milk with sugar added

 (iii) In the case of condensed skimmed milk (unsweetened):

CONDENSED SKIMMED MILK UNSWEETENED

(Evaporated Skimmed Milk) This tin contains the equivalent of (x)……… litres of skimmed milk

(iv) In the case of condensed skimmed milk (sweetened):

CONDENSED SKIMMED MILK SWEETENED

This tin contains the equivalent of (x)…….litres of skimmed milk with sugar added”

(v) In the case of condensed milk (sweetened and flavoured):

This has been flavoured with………….

NOT TO BE USED FOR

INFANTS BELOW SIX MONTHS

(vi) In the case of condensed milk/condensed Skimmed milk (unsweetened) Sterilised by Ultra High Temperature (UHT) treatment:

This has been sterilised by UHT Proces (vii) In the case of milk powder:

MILK POWDER

This tin contains the equivalent of

(x)….. litres of toned milk

(viii) In the case of milk powder which contains lecithin:

MILK POWDER IN THIS PACKAGE CONTAINS LECITHIN

(ix) In the case of partly skimmed milk powder :

PARTLY SKIMMED MILK POWDER

This tin contains the equivalent of (x)……… litres of partly skimmed milk having……… per cent milk fat

(x) In the case of skimmed milk powder:

SKIMMED MILK POWDER

This tin contains the equivalent of (x)……… litres of skimmed milk

(xi) The packages of condensed milk or desiccated (dried) milk shall bear the following label declaration:-

“machine skimmed” “skimmed” or “unsuitable for babies”

“To make a fluid not below the composition of toned milk or skimmed milk (as the case may be) with the contents of this package, add (here insert the number of parts) of water by volume to one part by volume of this condensed milk or desiccated (dried) milk”.

(xii) The packages of condensed skimmed milk or desiccated (dried) skimmed milk shall bear the following label declaration:-

Condensed skimmed milk “machine skimmed” or Condensed skimmed milk “partly skimmed”, or Desiccated (dried) skimmed milk“machine skimmed” or

Desiccated (dried) skimmed milk“partly skimmed”, as the case may be.

13.3 Fluid milk: — The caps of the milk bottles /pouch/tetrapack shall clearly indicate the nature of the milk contained in them. The indication may be either in full or by abbreviation shown below :

1. Buffalo milk may be denoted by the letter‘B’,
2. Cow milk may be denoted by the letter ‘C’ ( (iii) Goat milk may be denoted by the letter ‘G
3. Standardized milk may be denoted by the letter ‘S’ (v) Toned milk may be denoted by the letter ‘T’
4. Double toned milk may be denoted by the lette DT’
5. Skimmed milk may be denoted by the letter ‘K’

(viii) Pasteurised milk may be denoted by the letter ‘P; followed by the class of milk. For example Pasteurised Buffalo milk shall bear the letters ‘PB ‘.

 13.4.Hingra —The container of Hingra shall bear the following label declaration ,— 

“This container contains Hingra (Imported from Iran\Afghanistan) and is certified to be conforming to the standards laid down in the Food Safety and Standards regulations”

13.5. Light Black Pepper:- The packages of light black pepper shall bear the following label declaration alonwith the Agmark seal :-

Light Black Pepper (Light berries)

13.6. The packages of “Cassia Bark” shall bear the following label declaration :-

CASSIA BARK (TAJ)

13.7. The packages of “CINNAMON” shall bear the following label declaration :-

CINNAMON (DALCHINI)

13.8. The packages of chillies which contains added edible oil shall bear the following label declaration:-

CHILLIES IN THIS PACKAGE CONTAINS AN ADMIXTURE OF NOT MORE THAN 2 PERCENT

OF……………….(NAME OF OIL) EDIBLE OIL

13.9.The packages of ice-cream, kulfi, kulfa and chocolate ice-cream containing starch shall have a label declaration as given below:-

“This ice-cream, kulfi, kulfa or chocolate ice-cream (as the case may be ) contains not more than — % of starch”

13.10.Masala: The package of mixed masala fried in oil shall bear the following label:

MIXED MASALA (FRIED)

THIS MASALA HAS BEEN FRIED IN (Name of the edible oused)

13.11. Compounded Asafoetida: The container of compounded asafoetida shall indicate the approximate composition of edible starch or edible cereal flour used in the compound, on the label.

13.12. The package containing maida treated with improver or bleaching agents shall carry the following label declaration :-

WHEAT FLOUR TREATED WITH IMPROVER/BLEACHING AGENTS, TO BE USED BY BAKERIES ONLY

13.13. The packages of malted milk food which contain added natural colouring matter except caramel, shall bear the following label declaration,-

MALTED MILK FOOD IN THIS PACKAGE CONTAINS

PERMITTED NATURAL COLOURING MATTER

13.14. Every advertisement for and/or a package of food containing added Monosodium Glutamate shall bear the following label declaration, ,-

This package of (name of the food contains added)………… MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR INFANTS BELOW 12 MONTHS

13.15. The container of refined salseed fat shall bear the following label declaration,-

REFINED SALSEED FAT FOR USE IN BAKERY AND CONFECTIONERY ONLY

13.16.The container or package of table iodised salt or iron fortified common salt containing permitted anticaking agent shall bear the following label declaration,-

IODIZED SALT / IRON FORTIFIED COMMON SALT* CONTAINS PERMITTED ANTICAKING AGENT

* Strike out whichever is not applicable

13.17. The container or package of iron fortified common salt shall bear the following label declaration,—

IRON FORTIFIED COMMON SALT

13.18.  The package of Dried Glucose Syrup containing sulphur dioxide exceeding 40 ppm shall bear the 

following label declaration

DRIED GLUCOSE SYRUP FOR USE IN SUGAR CONFECTIONERY

13.19.  The packages containing tea with added flavour shall bear the following label, declaration,—

“FLAVOURED TEA” (common name of permitted flavour/percentage) Registration No….

13.20. The packages of food which contain artificial sweetener shall bear the following label,declaration,—

(i) This contains …………….. (Name of the artificial sweeteners)

(ii) Not recommended for children.

(iii) (a) *Quantity of sugar added …………… gm/100 gm.

(b) No sugar added in the product.

(iv) *Not for Phenylketonurics (if Aspertame is added)

*strike out whatever is not applicable

13.21. In addition to above declaration the packages of food which contain artificial sweetener shall also bear the following label, declaration,-

CONTAINS ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER AND FOR CALORIE CONSCIOUS

13.22.The above declaration shall be provided along with name or trade name of product and shall be half of the size of the name/ trade name. The declaration may be given in two sentences, but in the same box. 

13.23.The package of Aspertame (Methyl ester), Acesulfame K, Sucralose and Saccharin Sodium, Neotame marketed as Table Top Sweetener and every advertisement for such Table Top Sweetener shall bear the following label, declaration,-

(i) Contains……….. (name of artificial sweetener) 

(ii) Not recommended for children

The package of aspertame (Methyl ester), marketed as Table Top Sweetener and every advertisement for such Table Top Sweetener shall carry the following label, namely,—

“Not for Phenylketonurics”

13.24. The package of food which is permitted to contain a mixture of Aspertame (Methyl Ester) and Acesulfame Potassium Sweeteners shall bear the following label, declaration,-

This ……………..…… (Name of food) contains ……………..……….. contains an admixture of Aspertame (Methyl Ester and Acesulfame Potassium. Not recommended for children.

(a) *Quantity of sugar added..…………… gm/100gm,

(b) No sugar added in the product.

*Not for Phenylketoneurics (if Aspertam added)

*strike out whatever is not applicable

13.25 The package of food which is permitted to contain a mixture of Acesulfame Potassium and Sucralose sweeteners shall bear the following label, declaration,—

(i) This …………(Name of Food) contains a mixture of Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium;

(ii) Not recommended for children;

(iii) *(a) Quantity of sugar added………………………gm/100gm; 

(b) No sugar added in the product;

(*Strike out whichever is not applicable)

13.26. The package of Pan Masala and advertisement relating thereto, shall bear the following warning,—

Chewing of Pan Masala is injurious to health

13.27. The package of supari and advertisement relating thereto shall bear the following warning in conspicuous and bold print,—

Chewing of Supari is injurious to Health

13.28. The package of fruit squash by whatever name it is sold, containing additional sodium or potassium salt shall bear the following label declaration,—

IT CONTAINS ADDITIONAL

SODIUM/POTASSIUM SALT

13.29. The package of Cheese (hard), surface treated with Natamycin, shall bear the following label declaration,—

SURFACE TREATED WITH NATAMYCIN

13.30. The package of Bakery and Industrial Margarine made from more than 30 per cent of Rice Bran Oil shall bear the following label declaration,—

This package of Bakery & Industrial Margarine is made from more than 30 per cent of Rice Bran Oil by Wt.

13.31. The container or package of flavour emulsion and flavour paste meant for use in carbonated or non-carbonated beverages shall bear the following label declaration along with the instructions for dilution,—

FLAVOUR EMULSION AND FLAVOUR PASTE FOR USE IN CARBONATED OR

NON-CARBONATED BEVERAGES ONLY

13.32. The package of drinking water shall bear the following label declaration in capital letters having the prescribed size of each letter ;

PACKAGED DRINKING WATER

The one time usable plastic bottles of packaged drinking water shall bear the following label declaration.

CRUSH THE BOTTLE AFTER USE

13.33. Every package of mineral water shall carry the following declaration in capital letters having the prescribed size of each letter ;

NATURAL MINERAL WATER

One time usable plastic bottles of mineral water shall carry the following declaration.

CRUSH THE BOTTLE AFTER USE

13.34. The package of food having added caffeine, shall bear the following label declaration,—

“CONTAINS CAFFEINE”

13.35. The package of Low Fat Paneer/ Chhana shall bear the following label declaration,—

LOW FAT PANEER / CHHANA

13.36. The package of Cheese(s), if coated/packed in food grade waxes polyfilm/wrapping of cloth, shall bear the following label declaration,—

REMOVE THE OUTER PACKING BEFORE CONSUMPTION

13.37. The package of Frozen Desert / Frozen Confection shall bear the following label declaration,—

Frozen Desserts / Frozen Confection Contain ………………. Milk Fat* / Edible Vegetable Oil* / and Vegetable Fat*

*strike out whatever is not applicable

13.38. The container or package of common salt shall bear the following label declaration,—

COMMON SALT FOR IODISATION* / IRON FORTIFICATION* /ANIMAL USE* / PRESERVATION / MEDICINE*/ INDUSTRIAL USE*

*strike out whichever is not applicable.

13.39. The package of biscuits, bread and cakes containing Oligofructose shall bear the following label declaration, –

Contains Oligofructose (dietary fiber) —— gm/100 gm

13.40. The package of fresh fruit if coated with wax shall bear the following label declaration,—

Coated with wax (give name of wax)

13.41.Gelatin meant for human consumption should be labeled as “Gelatin Food Grade”

13.42.The package of food containing Polyols shall bear the following label declaration,-

Polyols may have laxative effects

13.43. The package of food containing Polydextrose shall bear the following label declaration:-

Polydextrose may have laxative effects

13. 44. Every package of fresh fruit if coated with wax shall carry the following label, namely,—

Coated with wax (give name of wax)

13.45. Gelatin meant for human consumption should be labeled as “Gelatin Food Grade”

13.46. Every package of food containing Polyols shall bear the following label,-

Polyols may have laxative effects

13.47. Every package of food containing Polydextrose shall bear the following label:-

Polydextrose may have laxative effects

‘Artificial sweetener not for children, pregnant women’

Diabetologists prefer using sucralose to Aspartame 

When you drop that pill into your coffee or tea to sweeten it, you hardly wonder about its effect.

Aspartame, an artificial food sweetener, is the most commonly used substitute for sugar. It is used in the manufacture of soft drinks too. However, diabetologists refuse to recommend it for pregnant women or children.

Aspartame, which was synthesised nearly 50 years ago, is the most popular among the various artificial sweeteners.

But some countries have banned it completely as the sweetener, which is 200 times sweeter than sugar, has repeatedly got entangled in medical controversies.

Some years ago, the use of aspartame in low-calorie soft drinks was blamed for causing cancers and premature births. According to the American Cancer Society website, however, studies on aspartame have not established any link to cancer.

Aspartame is used in India but diabetologists prefer sucralose, which they say is a natural product.

“Aspertame cannot be added to hot substances or while cooking as the chemical compound breaks down. We recommend sucralose, a natural product, for cooking purposes,” says diabetologist Anand Moses.

In December, the European Food Safety Authority, after an extensive study, said it was okay to use the sweetener at its current levels — 40mg/kg of body weight/day — points out Vijay Viswanath, managing director, M.V. Hospital for Diabetes, Royapuram.

Pregnant women and children, however, have no choice. They are allowed to have only sugar and not artificial sweeteners.

Doctors recommend half a teaspoon of sugar for children with diabetes and for adults whose sugar is “well-controlled and are not obese”, the recommended sugar level is 5 gm/day.

Diabetologists do not recommend Aspartame, which is the most commonly used substitute for sugar

‘Organise annadhanam only with prior permission’

A food safety consultative meet was organised with eateries and hotels in Nagore on Monday as part of the preparatory exercise for Kandhuri festival. All hotels and eateries have been directed to maintain hygiene to ensure the safety of pilgrims.

The food safety department has also warned outlets against selling packed food items beyond expiry date. Hotels and eateries are also directed to ensure that stale oil is not used for cooking. The meeting assumes significance in the light of food poisoning incidents during the Velankanni festival, where close to 100 police personnel fell ill due to the use of expired rava and edible oils.

Those seeking to serve annadhanam for pilgrims should take prior clearance from food safety officials. Strict action will be initiated against those selling stale meat, vegetables or any other edibles not fit for consumptions, officials have warned. Tea stalls have been told not to parcel tea in plastic bags.

Representatives of the Nagore chamber of commerce took part in the meet held by A.T.Anbazhagan, food safety officer, Nagapattinam.