FSSAI extends date for comments on draft guidelines on labeling to 28th Feb 2013

Brief Interpretation of the Announcement from FSSAI:

New regulation for Labeling of Packaged Food  are in the pipeline, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a draft regulation for labeling of Packaged Food  Articles on 27.12.2012 and  the objections or suggestions were invited from the stakeholders by 31.01.2013. The date for sending objections or suggestions to FSSAI has now been extended up to 28.02.2013.

In this draft regulation major changes and modifications are proposed in labeling provision of the packaged food, by FSSAI like:

1. No food shall be sold or exposed for sale or distributed after Best Before Date period.
2. The date of Manufacture Best Before/Use Before/Expiry Date shall be in black color against white background.
3. If the food product is manufactured on different date  and packed on different date then the both dates shall be monitored.
4. For Non-Veg logo the symbol shall be brown in color filled circle in brown triangle
5. The manner of giving nutritional information of packaged food is also proposed for modification.
6. Detailed guidelines has been  proposed for labeling regarding nutritional and health claims eg. Natural word can only be used  for such products in which no external ingredient present. Pure term can used only for single ingredient food to which nothing has been added and which is free from avoidable contamination, and many more….

Besides above many more changes and modifications are under consideration in the draft Regulation by FSSAI. For full information please download and read the full draft regulation.

Implications;

• Every packaged food article are labeled in accordance to the Food safety and standards (packaging and Labelling ) Regulations,2011 till the finalization and notification of this draft.
• Manufacturers, sellers, distributers, importers and others who are dealing with food business, should keep in mind that after final notification of this draft every packaged food article shall be labeled as per the finally notified regulations.
•  If the packaged food product is  not properly labeled in accordance to the regulations it is considered as misbranded and it attracts action under section 52 of FSS Act  i.e. the penalty of fine up to rupees 3lakh.
• If you are planning to design or purchasing any new stocks of labeling  and  packaging material, we would recommend not to procure a very large quantity as they could go waste after  final regulation come into place.

The original contents of the Announcement are given below Quote:

Extension of time period for inviting Comments/Suggestion on Draft Regulation

on Labelling (Claims).(Dated : 04-02-2013).

Under File .No. 1-94/FSSAI/SO (Labelling)/2009 

FDA Bhawan, Kotla road, New Delhi-110002

With reference to the announcement vide File no.1–94/FSSAI/SO (Labelling)/2009 dated 27.12.2012, all stakeholders and the general public are hereby informed that the last date for receipt of comments/suggestions on the “draft Regulation on Labelling (Claims)” at this office has been extended up to 28.02.2013.

Background of Announcement:

Consumers should have proper knowledge about the food which they are used in their meal. To keep this point in their mind the Authority of Food Safety and Standards prepared an Act i.e. Food Safety and Standards Act; the intension of this Act is that every consumer gets the proper information regarding the food which has been contained in the packet through the declaration of the label on the container.

As per section 23 of FSS Act “No person shall manufacture, distribute, sell or expose for sale any packaged food product which are not marked and labeled as per regulations made in this regard”. To give effect regarding this provision the regulation viz Food Safety and Standard (packaging and Labelling) regulations, 2011 has been made which came into effect w.e.f 5.08.2011. This regulation is considered for further amendments and the draft for inviting objection and suggestion from the stakeholders appeared on the website of FSSAI on 27.12.2012 and objections and suggestions now can be sent to FSSAI up to 28.02.2013

 Intro and Background of FSSA:

As per section 23 of FSS Act “No person shall manufacture, distribute, sell or expose for sale any packaged food product which are not marked and labeled as per regulations made in this regard”. In exercise of the power conferred under section 92, The FSSAI made regulations on labelling called as The Food safety and standards (Packaging and Labelling) regulations,2011 which came in to effect w.e.f. 5.08.2011. Food Safety and standard Authority of India has considered to ammend the said regulation and issued a Draft Regulation on labeling (Claims) on 27.12.2012 inviting objections and suggestions from the public by 31.01.2013 from stakeholders and general public. The date has been extended till 28.02.2013 so the stakeholder now gets sufficient time to send their objections or suggestions.

This is a great opportunity for FBOs to give their inputs on this critical regulation, visit the draft regulation and send your objections or suggestions to FSSAI before 28.02.2013 to include any changes and modifications affecting your business or trade.

If you have any question regarding this issue you can ask freely and share your views with us by leaving comments below.