The FSSAI has issued a notification dated 8 October 2018 with regard to proposed Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2018 relating to restriction on the use of diacetyl as flavouring substance in oils and fats. The FSSAI has asked for views, comments, and suggestions on the amendments, which are to reach FSSAI office by 15 November 2018.
The proposed draft amendments will make changes in the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on sales) Regulations, 2011, and the notice has been given so stakeholders can make their observations and which the FSSAI will take into consideration before finalising the amendments. Once published in the Official Gazette, these regulations will be called the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on sales) Amendment Regulations, 2018. They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
In the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on sales) Regulations, 2011, in regulation ‘Prohibition and Restriction on sale of certain products’ (2.3) under the category Special provisions relating to the sale of vegetable oil and fat (2.3.15) the following clause shall be added to the regulation
- Restriction on the use of diacetyl as a flavouring substance in oils and fats.
Through this amendment in the regulation, the FSSAI is proposing to restrict the sale of oils and fats that contain diacetyl.
About diacetyl
Diacetyl is a chemical compound that occurs naturally in certain foods and can also be artificially made. Chemically-produced diacetyl and its derivatives are added to develop the buttery flavour in many processed foods. Diacetyl is used in foods because it imitates a buttery taste and aroma and this sensory perception can be a driver of consumers accepting the food. In the food industry diacetyl is, therefore, used as an ingredient to artificially flavour foods and beverages. Any flavouring that has a buttery taste could contain diacetyl as it is used as a flavouring agent in butter, cheeses, yogurt, margarine, sour cream, etc. Human beings have always been exposed to diacetyl but in recent years there have been some reports of diacetyl being associated with lung diseases through inhalation. The FSSAI amendment will help to reduce the exposure of consumers to diacetyl.
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