Through its direction dated 21 December 2017, the FSSAI has extended the timeline for the compliance of standards for Caffeinated Beverages to 30 June 2018. The FSSAI had notified standards for caffeinated beverages in December 2016. According to the December notification the transition period of six months, which was to be up to 1 July 2017, had been given to FBOs to comply with the prescribed standards. However, through the direction issued on 15 June 2017 the FSSAI had decided to extend the date for compliance of standards for caffeinated beverages for another six months till 31 December, 2017 so that FBOs could exhaust their existing stock of caffeinated beverages manufactured domestically or imported in accordance with the requirements specified vide Food Authority’s approval before 30 June 2017.
FSSAI has now received a number of representations from various stakeholders requesting for further extension of the time for the enforcement of the said regulation because of the caffeinated beverage products, manufactured or imported in compliance with the draft regulations, are still available in the market. They will continue to be available and fit for sale till the date of expiry on the products. therefore after due consideration, the FSSAI has decided to extend the date of compliance for a second time for a further six months period up to 30 June 2018. The FSSAI has also stated that this will be the last extension in this regard.
The standards for caffeinated beverages had been amended in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 relating to BEVERAGES NON –ALCOHOLIC –CARBONATED. The important notified standards are as follows
- water used in caffeinated beverages must conform to standards of packaged drinking water
- caffeine content must not be less than145mg per liter and not more than 300mg per liter
- substances like Taurine D-glucuronic-Ү-lactone, Inositol, and Pantothenic Acid are permitted for use provided they are within the specified maximum levels of per day consumption
- No new ingredients are permitted to be added without the approval of the FSSAI.
- The label declarations must carry the words “consume not more than 500 ml per day”
- The maximum per day quantity of the caffeinated beverage is to be as per package or serving.
- FBO must also prominently display that caffeinated beverages are not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women, persons sensitive to caffeine.
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