
The FSSAI has clarified all aspects regarding proprietary food regulations through an FAQ notification which the Food Business Operators can consult to clarify any doubts about the standards, definition, ingredients, and additives used, licensing, labeling requirements in proprietary foods. The provisions of this notification have been enforced from 15 January 2016 and are required to be followed by the Central and State Authorities and all Food Business Operators (FBOs).
At the outset, FSSAI has stated that it understands the need for a specific framework to manufacture and market proprietary foods. While they understand, that stakeholders require flexibility to innovate but there is also a need to adhere to global best practices. FSSAI has stated that it has issued a notice on 23 December 2015 for the “Operationalization of standards for Food Additives for use in various Food Categories” for an expanded list of food additives in different food and food categories. The Apex Food Regulator has at the same time emphasized that use of the expanded list of food additives in proprietary foods puts the onus of food safety squarely on the shoulders of the Food Business Operators.
The earlier regulation that defined proprietary foods as foods that have not been standardized under the FSSAI regulations has been amended. Under the new operationalized amendment the scope of proprietary foods is as follows
- In this notification proprietary foods cover all non-standardised foods for which no identifiable standards have been prescribed in the FSSAI regulations. However, the category of novel foods, foods for special dietary uses, functional foods, nutraceuticals and health supplements are not included as proprietary foods.
- If there is any deviation or change in the specific quality parameters (such as TSS, ash content etc.) of any standardized food then the resultant product cannot qualify as proprietary food.
To the question of seeking approval from FSSAI for any proprietary food complying with the provisions as laid down in this notice, the FSSAI said that any proprietary foods complying with the provisions of this notification will not require any pre-approval from the FSSAI. Again the FSSAI has emphasized that even though the FBO might not require product approval but the FBO will be fully responsible for the safety of the proprietary food that is in compliance with provisions of this notice.
Which ingredients besides additives can be used in proprietary foods?
- Ingredients which are standardized or are permitted to be used in standardized products under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Additives) Regulations 2011 can be also used in proprietary foods
- Any ingredient besides those mentioned above and which are already approved under the erstwhile product approval process can be used
- Added vitamins and minerals should not exceed 30 percent of recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for Indians when used in proprietary foods.
Which food additive can be used in proprietary foods?
The following additives can be used in proprietary foods
- Food additives that are permitted in Chapter 3 and Appendix A of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Additives) Regulation 2011, for that food, food category or sub-category as amended from time to time can be used in proprietary foods.
- All Food additives permitted in specific food or food category or subcategory that has become operational as per the FSSAI “Notice for operationalization of standards of Food Additive” for use in the various categories of food dated 23 December 2015 can be used.
- Besides those additives mentioned above, if FBOs have received approval for any additives under the previous product approval process then they may continue to use them.
Is there any change in licensing requirement and what documents are required?
- Licensing for proprietary foods will be granted for the specific foods or food category or subcategory when the FBO requests for it in the application form and in accordance with the licensing regulation but there will be no requirement for any product approval.
- FBOs can also get new proprietary food incorporated into the existing license.
- Any proprietary foods already included in the existing licenses will remain valid.
- Documents that are required to be deposited with the State/Central Licensing Agency are as per Annexure 2 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and registration of Food Business) Regulations 2011
How will an intermediate product be used by another industry be governed under this regulation?
Intermediate products (food/ food additive premixes) can contain ingredients permitted in this regulation and can contain additives as per Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives ) Regulation 2011 and /or Standards for food additives that have been operational through the notice of 23 December 2015 issued by FSSAI. FBO’s have the responsibility to ensure that the finished product prepared using such premixes/ intermediate products contain only those additives that are permitted under the regulations.
FSSAI has also clarified how the FBOs will comply with provisions of the notice to mention category on the label along with its name, nature, and composition
- “Category” means the category of the food as per the category and sub-category system provided in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives ) Regulation 2011 and permitted by the “notice for operationalization of standards for Food Additives for use in various food categories dated 23 December 2015 issued by FSSAI
For labeling purpose, the FBO can use the product name along with the category number.
- Name, nature, and composition are as provided in the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling ) Regulation 2011 where
- Name –means the generic name
- Nature- means the description of the food contained in the package
- Composition means the list of ingredients in descending order
- The FBOs that have got product approval under the previous product approval process can comply with the provisions of the new labeling regulations within a period of six months from the 23 March 2016.
To ensure safety standards the proprietary foods should comply with contaminants (chemical and microbiological) specifications prescribed for ingredients as applicable. In case of final product, FBO should ensure that the food does not contain any pathogen organisms at a level that could render it unsafe.
Regulations for special purpose foods
FSSAI says that since novel foods, foods for special dietary use, functional food, nutraceuticals, health supplements and such other articles of food which the central government may notify in this behalf are excluded from definition of proprietary foods in these regulations so these special purpose foods will be governed by their own regulations as and when notified. If any FBO is manufacturing or selling foods under this special category, and if they have product approval. Then they can continue to be manufactured/ sell such products till such time as the specific regulations in this regard are notified.
sambaraju chakrapani says
is there is any clarification on skimmed milk powder treated as propritary food as per fssai
Ramdas says
jaggery production is comes under which catagory of foo while registration on FSSAI
Sonu Sharma says
Many companies stating ‘ProprietaryFood’ on spice blends (Garam Masala, Biryani Masala etc) how can be a spice blend considered as Proprietary Food? actually it is misleading to customer that such products (Spice Blends) are non Confirmatory to FSSAI regulation provided for curry powder. Have every company stating Proprietary Food on Spice Blend Pack owns Proprietary Food License?
tejaswini says
Please give me the standard for food additives and preservatives use in Indian traditional sweets.We are manufacturing kaju katli and product from kaju.We need standard for food preservatives and additives use in kaju katli product.
FSH Team says
You can find it in the given url – https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Compendium_Food_Additives_Regulations_29_03_2019.pdf
Sachin Bhadade says
I want to start juice shop (no any processing, just cold press by juicing machine/juicer) with home delivery, should i need to register my business under food license.
FSH Team says
Yes.