FoodSafetyHelpline Answered the following recent queries:
Question: Please confirm to me whether the emulsifier Soy Lecithin E322 is permissible in chocolates?
Answer: Lecithin (INS 322 i) & (INS 322ii) are permitted in chocolates in GMP as per GMP table of FSSAI Gazette notification dated 5.9.2016.
Question: I have a packaged food which has MFD Dt. as of March 2017 and BEST BEFORE Dt. mentioned as 5 months. More than 80% of the food content is still left. So, do I have to finish this before July 31, 2017?
Answer: Best Before implies the date signifying the end of the period by which the food product shall contain its specific qualities as expressed on the label. So, in this case, the product is fully marketable till July 30, 2017. The consumer can consume the food even after BEST BEFORE Date if it is otherwise fit for human consumption.
Question: I want to start a packaged tea powder business. I would be purchasing the raw tea powder (maybe Blended) from the manufacturer and they will pack it for our brand name. In nutshell, we will get packed tea powder from the manufacturer. I will sell it to customers directly. Which type of license I need to obtain from FSSAI? What needs to be mentioned in the packet?
Answer: You have to acquire a food license under the category “Relabelling”. You have to comply with all the conditions of the license. The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging & Labelling) Regulations, 2011 shall have to be followed and you may be exempted from declaring the Nutritional information if in case it is only a single ingredient food product. Your third party manufacturer should also hold a valid license.
Question: I want to sell homemade pickle online in a jar. currently, the quantity is very small; less than 100kg. Do I need to put the nutritional facts on the jar?
Answer: No, it is not required to be mentioned on the label.
Question: Is there any regulation issued by FSSAI regarding Organic Food Products? Does someone require a documentary proof for the Organic Food?
Answer: FSSAI has issued a draft regulation in this regard. In the draft regulation, FSSAI has mentioned the organizations from where one can get the certification. Currently, you have to approach APEDA for getting such certificate. You must have the evidence to prove your claim for “Organic Food”.
Question: If a company wants to export their product but still have a domestic sale, is there any requirement for additional approval or license from FSSAI? If exported without any special license what are the legal issues?
Answer: For food exports, the central license from FSSAI is a mandatory requirement and no one can do the food exports if the firm/company is not registered under FSSAI licensing. There are provisions for a penalty (monetary & imprisonment) for carrying out business without a valid license in compliance with Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006.
Question: Can we pack raw milk in pouches after getting FSSAI License?
Answer: You must have disclosed the nature of your food business at the time of applying for the license. So, if your license permits the same then you can definitely pack the raw milk for further sale and you have to comply with the packaging & labelling regulations besides meeting the food product standards & food analysis, also have to ensure that the conditions of the license should be met.
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