Through a notification dated 16 January 2018, the FSSAI has asked for comments, views, and suggestions within a period of three weeks on the continuation of certain provisions that require for mandatory AGMARK certification for selling several food products. The relevant provisions that call for mandatory certification fall under the Regulations in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The FSSAI is in the process of reviewing these provisions to ascertain whether they serve any benefit to the Industry and to consumers and whether they are required to be continued or not. The FSSAI has also asked stakeholders to give their opinion about continuing with these provisions or not, along with justification for their continuation or removal. Suggestions from stakeholders will enable the FSSAI to make an informed decision on the same.
The relevant mandatory provisions are as follows
- Blended Edible Vegetable Oil is mandatorily required to be sold under AGMARK certification mark as per sub-regulation 2.1.1.5 and clause 11 of sub-regulation 2.3.14 of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations, 2011. (This regulation states that The Blended Edible Vegetable Oils shall not be sold in loose form. It shall be sold in the sealed package weighing not more than 3 [15 Kilograms]. The container having blended edible vegetable oil shall be tamper proof. It shall also not be sold under the common or generic name of the oil used in the blend but shall be sold as “Blended Edible Vegetable Oil”. The sealed package shall be sold or offered for sale only under AGMARK certification mark bearing the label declarations as provided in the Regulations besides other labeling requirements under the Regulation)
- Fat Spread is mandatorily required to be sold under AGMARK certification mark as per Clause 3 of sub-regulation MARGARINE AND FAT SPREADS (2.2.5) of Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 (this clause states that It shall be compulsorily sold in sealed packages weighing not more than 500g under Agmark certificate mark.) and sub-regulation 2.3.14(13) of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. (This regulation states that “The fat spread shall not be sold in loose form. It shall be sold in sealed packages weighing not more than 500gms. The word ‘butter’ shall not be associated while labeling the product. The sealed package shall be sold or offered for sale only under AGMARK Certification mark bearing the label declaration as provided under Regulation 2.4.2 of Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) regulations, 2011 besides other labeling requirements under these regulations”.)
- Carbia Callosa and Honeydew are mandatorily required to be sold under AGMARK certification mark as per sub-regulation 2.3.2 of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations, 2011. (This regulation states “Restriction on sale of Carbia Callosa and Honeydew: Carbia Callosa and Honeydew shall be sold only in sealed containers bearing Agmark seal.)
- Kangra tea is mandatorily required to be sold under AGMARK certification mark as per sub-regulation 2.3.10 of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011(This regulation states Restriction on sale of Kangra tea: Kangra tea shall be sold or offered for sale only after it is graded and marked in accordance with the provisions of the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 (1 of 1937) and the regulations made thereunder.)
- Til Oil (Sesame Oil) obtained from white sesame seeds, grown in Tripura, Assam and West Bengal having different standards than those specified for til oil is mandatorily required to be sold under AGMARK certification mark as per sub-regulation 2.3.9 of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 (This regulation states “Restriction on sale of Til Oil produced in Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal. Til Oil (Sesame Oil) obtained from white sesame seeds, grown in Tripura, Assam and West Bengal having different standards than those specified for til oil shall be sold in sealed containers bearing Agmark label. Where this til oil is sold or offered for sale without bearing an Agmark label, the standard given for til oil shall apply.)
- Ghee having less Reichert value than that specified for the area where such ghee is sold, is mandatorily required to be sold under AGMARK certification mark as per clause 1 of sub-regulation 2.3.8 of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 (This regulation states “Restriction on sale of ghee having less Reichert value than that specified for the area where such ghee is sold. (1) The ghee having less Reichert value and a different standard for Butyro-refractometer reading at 400C than that specified for the area in which it is imported for sale or storage shall not be sold or stored in that area except under the ‘AGMARK’ seal: Provided that such ghee may be (i) sold loose, after opening the ‘AGMARK’ sealed container, in quantities not exceeding two kilograms at a time, and (ii) used in the preparation of confectionery (including sweetmeats)”.
- Light black pepper is required to be sold in the package bearing the AGMARK Label as per sub-regulation 2.4.5.9 of Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011
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