The FSSAI has received several requests from the National Research Centre on Camel, Bikaner and the Government of Gujarat, regarding the inclusion of camel milk under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2011. FSSAI’s Task Force on Milk and Milk Products discussed the issue at a number of meetings held in 2014 and 2015. The Task Force took into consideration the information and data provided by National Research Centre on Camel, Bikaner, and Government of Gujarat. The Task Force also requested NDRI to carry out analysis of the data pertaining to 2535 samples of camel milk provided by NRC on Camel, Bikaner.
Taking into consideration the analysis, information and data the Task Force found that fat as well as solids-not-fat (SNF) content in camel milk follows a normal distribution. The Task Force recommended that fat and SNF content in camel milk should be 3.0% and 6.5% respectively, throughout India. The FSSAI has now framed standards based on these recommendations. The final notification for standards will take some time but since a number of FBOs have already started producing camel milk and to facilitate trade the FSSAI has decided to operationalize standards for camel milk.
Therefore as of 29 November 2016, the FSSAI has operationalized standards for camel milk and their implementation has commenced from this date even though the standards are in draft form presently. These standards will be listed under regulations related to ‘DAIRY PRODUCTS AND ANALOGUES in category MILK in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. Therefore all FBOs producing camel milk will now have to follow the standards as provided below.
Class of milk | Designation | Locality | Milkfat | Minimum percent of milk solids not fat |
Camel milk | Raw, pasteurized, boiled, flavored and sterilised | All India | 3.0 | 6.5 |
About camel Milk
In India, camel milk has been consumed for centuries especially in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Communities living in the desert areas use camel milk as a staple since it has enough nutrients to sustain a person throughout the day. In some countries, camel milk is given to babies suffering from malnutrition as it is full of nutrients and proteins.
Camel milk is low in fat but has a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids, high vitamin and mineral content and low cholesterol content, all of which provide benefits to the human body. It resembles human milk in the closet and is a natural probiotic that can promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. Camel milk has 10 times more iron and three times more vitamin C than cow’s milk. Camels possess a unique and powerful immune-system and components like long chain immunoglobulins are found in the milk which strengthens immunity in those who drink camel milk.
Camel milk also has medicinal properties which were known to the nomadic people living in deserts and also finds mention in Ayurveda. Studies have found that camel milk could be used for diabetes, autism and it strengthens bones and joints too. The National Research Centre for Camels in Bikaner, Rajasthan, has been carrying out research on therapeutic values of camel milk in autism, diabetes, TB, Hepatitis, etc.
Subhash says
As I know that the original Camel Milk contains 21 % Fat. Why Standards kept 3.0% milk Fat?
Subhash says
As I know that the original milk Fat contains 21% ,Why Standards kept 3.0%