India to Revise Important Food Safety Standards

On Nov. 13, 2015, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced the revision of two important food safety standards, i.e. “Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011” and “Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011”, which will be open for public consultation for 60 days.

In Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011:

• The microbiological standards for fish and fish products have been revised.

• The standards on radiation processing of food have been changed, including:

1. Dose of radiation

2. The requirements and restrictions on radiation processing of food

3. Storage, sale and labeling of radiation processed food

In Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011:

• Zinc has been removed from the contaminants list.

• Pharmacologically active substance has been prohibited for use in fish and fishery products.

• Harmonization of pesticides, antibiotics and veterinary drug residues has been conducted.

• The maximum residual limits for 17 pesticides have been fixed.