The new regulations have been categorized into four chapters, and four further schedules. These Chapters deal with the different aspects of these new regulations, which are:
Chapter 1: Words and Phrases to be used in the Regulations
Chapter 2: Labelling of Prepackaged Foods
Chapter 3: Labelling Requirements of Non-Retail Containers
Chapter 4: Labelling of Food Additives When Sold as Such
Chapter2 deals with the labeling of food products containing food additives. The regulations require the label to mention the common name, class name or theINS(International Numbering System for Functional Classes) of the respective food additives.
Labelling of Packaged Additives for Retail Sale
● Each package of food additives meant of retail sale shall be labelled according to the FSSAI Regulations, along with several details. Which include:
● Name of the food additive as mentioned in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and FoodAdditives) Regulations, 2011. If these regulations do not include its name, it can be derived from the International Codex. If such an attempt is unsuccessful, the common/general name of the additive can be used for labelling.
● For Synthetic food colours, the chemical name and the colour index of the dyestuff should be used.
● For two or more additives in apackage, their names in descending order of their composition can be used. Thisorder can be decided based upon their weight or volume in the mix.
● Every such package sold in retailor wholesale should showcase the words ‘FOOD FOR USE’.
● For mixtures of flavourings, thewords ‘flavour’ or ‘flavouring’ may be used. Furthermore, words such as ‘natural’, ‘artificial’, or ‘nature-identical’ can be used to mention the type of flavour. However, this clause does not apply to flavour modifiers.
Some Other Mandatory Declarations
Food additives either sold individually or as a food ingredient has several other mandatory declarations associated with them.
For example, gelatin meant for human consumption should be marked with ‘Gelatin food Grade’. Similarly, food products containing sweeteners like aspartame must mention “Contains (name of sweetener” and “Not Recommended for Children”
FSSAI has released a list of such additives and the labeling declarations associated with them.
Exemptions
● If the surface area of the foodpackage is not more than 100 sq cms, the manufacturer can be exempted fromdisplaying the list of food additives.
