FSSAI Issues Directions Regarding Compliance of Processing Aids

FSSAI has issued directions dated 12 July 2021 with regard to compliance of Processing Aids under Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011

The FSSAI has notified a list of processing aids permitted in various food products vide a Gazette Notification dated 9 October, 2020. Subsequently there was an amendment to these regulations and this amendment regulation was also notified on 4 March 2021. Further FSSAI has also drawn attention to its order dated 22 June 2021 in which the timeline for compliance of the above-mentioned notifications dated 9 October, 2020 and 4 March 2021 has been extended to 01 January 2022.

Further, in addition to the above, some other processing aids are still under consideration by the FSSAI. A final decision on these and their inclusion in the principal regulation through a suitable amendment will require some more time. A list of such processing aids has been given in the Annexure-1. However, considering the fact that these processing aids are already in use by Food Business Operators (FBOs), so the FSSAI has decided to allow the use of all such processing aids by FBOs till the time that appropriate amendments on the same are Gazette Notified. (Annexure – 1 can be accessed from the following webpage www.fssai.gov.in.)

Accordingly, the FSSAI has directed the Commissioners of Food Safety of all States and UTs and all Central Licensing Authorities not to take any punitive action on FBOs for using and possessing aids as listed in the Annexure -1 till the time the amendments on the same are in place.

Annexure-1 consists of the following lists of processing aids

• List of processing aids recommended under Appendix C of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations (pages 2 to 3)
• Table 11A Enzymes derived from Genetically Modified Microorganisms / Sources (pages 4 to 20)
• List of Processing Aids under consideration of Working Group on Processing Aids / Scientific Panel on Food Additives (pages 20 to 26)

Source : FSSAI