FSSAI has proposed amendments to standards for
- Unprocessed Whole Raw Pulses in the category of ‘Food Grains’
- Saffron (Kesar) in the category of ‘Salt, Spices, Condiments and Related Products’
- Silver Leaf (Chandi-ka-warq) in the category of ‘Other Food Products and Ingredients’
FSSAI has asked for comments and suggestions and when these amendments come into force, after their final publication in the Official Gazette, they will be called the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2016.
In the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 there were no standards earlier for ‘Unprocessed Whole Raw Pulses’ that are not for direct human consumption in the category of ‘Food Grains’ and the same has been proposed to be added to the regulation.
- FSSAI proposes to limit the foreign matter (extraneous matter) to maximum of 3.0 per cent by weight of which the maximum 0.5 per cent by weight may be the inorganic matter and impurities of animal origin.
- The unprocessed whole raw pulses’ will also conform to other requirements for standards in the regulation.
In the category of ‘Salt, Spices, Condiments and Related Products’ the FSSAI has also proposed a change relating to Saffron (Kesar).
Earlier the standards said
Solubility in cold water on dry weight basis – Not less than 65.0 per cent by weight
The proposed change will read
Solubility in cold water on dry weight basis – Not more than 65.0 per cent by weight
In regulation dealing with Silver Leaf (Chandi-ka-warq) food grade earlier, there were no detailed standards other than about silver content and crease free foil. Now the FSSAI has also defined the thickness and weight and the fact that it should not be manufactured using any material of animal origin. FSSAI says Silver Leaf will be in the
- form of a sheet that is of uniform thickness and is free from creases and folds
- the weight of one silver foil will be up to 2.8gm/Sq. meter
- fineness of silver will be a minimum of 999/1000
- Silver foil will not be manufactured using any material of material animal origin at any stage of its manufacturing process
- The Silver leaf will have to conform to provisions of Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 and the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling), Regulations, 2011
The FSSAI had proposed the removal of Zinc as a contaminant through a notification dated 1st April 2016. The regulation regarding this proposal has now been approved by the FSSAI through a notification dated 2 May 2016. The standards prescribing the omission of Zinc as a contaminant will be implemented with immediate effect.
Click here to view notification on Silver Leaf.
Click here to view notification on Raw Pulses.
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