The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently announced its intention to amend the regulations pertaining to the standards of crude corn (maize) oil under Section 92 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This amendment is being made under the draft FSS (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2022, which were published on the FSSAI website on 31st May 2022 for public comments. The aim of the amendment is to ensure that crude corn (maize) oil meets the required standards of quality and safety for consumption.
The FSSAI is responsible for ensuring that food products in India are safe, hygienic, and of high quality. The organization works towards this goal by setting and enforcing standards for various food products, including crude corn (maize) oil. The proposed amendment seeks to re-operationalize a provision of the existing regulations to allow Food Business Operators (FBOs) to import crude corn (maize) oil, subject to certain conditions.
According to the proposed amendment, the entry for corn (maize) oil would be added to sub-regulation 2.2.9, which relates to ‘Solvent Extracted Crude Vegetable Oils (not for direct human consumption).’ This entry specifies the maximum limits for various parameters such as moisture and insoluble impurities, refractive index, saponification value, iodine value, acid value, unsaponifiable matter, and flash point Pensky Martens. The FSSAI has also set a compliance date of 20th December 2022 for the re-operationalization of this provision.
The proposed amendment takes into account the different requirements and characteristics of crude corn (maize) oil as compared to other vegetable oils. Corn (maize) oil is a popular cooking oil that is extracted from the germ of the corn kernel. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial for health. However, the oil is also prone to oxidation and spoilage, which can affect its quality and safety.
To ensure that crude corn (maize) oil meets the required standards of quality and safety, the proposed amendment sets out specific limits for various parameters. For instance, the maximum limit for moisture and insoluble impurities in corn (maize) oil is set at 0.25% by mass, while the refractive index at 40°C must be between 1.4637 and 1.4675. The saponification value, iodine value, and acid value of the oil are also specified, as are the maximum limits for unsaponifiable matter and flash point Pensky Martens.
The proposed amendment is a significant step towards ensuring that crude corn (maize) oil is safe and of high quality for consumption. It takes into account the unique characteristics of the oil and sets specific limits for various parameters to ensure that the oil meets the required standards. This will benefit consumers, who can be assured that the oil they are consuming is safe and of high quality.
The FSSAI has taken this step in the interest of public health and safety, and to ensure that food products in India meet the required standards of quality and safety. The organization has been working towards this goal for several years, and has put in place various regulations and guidelines to ensure that food products in India are safe and of high quality.
In addition to setting and enforcing standards for food products, the FSSAI works to raise awareness among consumers about food safety and nutrition. The apex body of food safety also conducts various campaigns and programs to educate consumers about the importance of eating safe and healthy food. It also works with various stakeholders, including food manufacturers, retailers, and consumers, to promote food safety and quality.
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