FSSAI issues notice operationalising standards for caffeinated beverages

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a notice operationalising standards for caffeinated beverages and the use of a blue tint in plastic containers. The notice stated to declare ‘Consume not more than 500ml per day’ on the label and allowed the use of a blue tint in plastic containers of five litres and above for packaging.

Kumar Anil, advisor (standards), FSSAI, stated, “In the year 2013, the draft regarding these standards was introduced for receiving comments from the concerned stakeholders. Further, on receiving replies and much debate on this issue, we have issued a formal approval through this notice.”

The new regulations will be known as Food Safety Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2016.

Labelling requirements

The product shall comply with all the provisions of the general labelling requirements of Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 for pre-packaged foods with the following addition requirements:

• A declaration, “Consume not more than 500ml per day”, shall be made on the label that represents the per day quantity;
• High Caffeine: “Xmg/serving size” (where X is the amount of caffeine in milligrams per pack/serve
• Prominent display of caution, “Not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women and persons sensitive to caffeine.”

While stating the calculation of per day intake, the notice explained, “If taurine is used at 1,000mg and D-glucurono-Y-lactone at 300mg in a 250ml pack, the per day quantity is reached by consuming 2x250ml packs and represents the one-day quantity. If the pack size is a 125ml bottle, then the per day quantity is reached by consuming 4x125ml bottles.”

The vitamins used in the caffeinated beverages like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 may be added at one recommended daily allowance (RDA) level (100 per cent RDA).

The notice stated that if any item or ingredient (other than those mentioned in the table) IS to be used, it will be subject to approval by the food authority and only on substantiation and scientific evidences, it will be approved.

Blue tint in packaging

FSSAI had earlier claimed that it will test the packaging of the food product. It looks like FSSAI is on it and is studying the packaging materials and layers of the packaging of food product which comes into contact with the food product.

Madhukar Johar, expert, FSSAI, said, “The usage of the blue tint in the plastic bottles had been debated for a long time on its migration properties, but now the limit of migrations is formalised. These limits can be tested in food testing labs where food business operators (FBOs) will have to ensure that the migration through the packaging material is under control.”

He also said that the migration takes place in every food product, but beyond a limit, such migration could turn into poison. Clearing the air, the FSSAI notice stated, “Provided the overall migration of pigment/colour used in container should not exceed 60mg/litre as per IS: 9845.”

The notice stated, “Blue tint, as provided in Indian Standard, IS: 9833, may be allowed in plastic container of five litres and above made of poly carbonate and Poly Ethylene Terephthalate (PET).” It added that the water used in the preparation of the caffeinated beverages should adhere to the packaged drinking water standards.