FSSAI sets 12,000 standards for food additives & ingredients

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has finalized 12,000 standards for food additives and ingredients in order to do away with the current lengthy process of product approval. The move is expected to benefit food companies as they will not be required to seek product approval from FSSAI if they comply with these standards.

At present, there are 375 FSSAI safety standards for food items but none for food additives and ingredients.

FSSAI, under the aegis of the health ministry, has fixed maximum limit for use of food additives in various food groups to ensure that the intake of additives does not exceed the acceptable daily intake. Similarly, it has set norms for use of ingredients in preparation of processed food items.

The regulator is also in the process of setting standards for imported food items to ensure safe products are sold in the domestic market.