New Delhi, July 12 (KNN) The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has operationalized the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2017 relating to standards for Non-carbonated Water Based Beverages (Non-Alcoholic) with effect from July 6, 2017.

The draft regulations regarding the same were notified in October 2016 for inviting comments of the stakeholders.

FSSAI said, “The food business operators shall follow the standards for non-carbonated water based beverages {non-alcoholic) as specified..The enforcement of these regulations shall commence only after the final regulations are notified in the Gazette of India.”

According to the new Regulation, the Non-carbonated Water Based Beverages {Non-Alcoholic) means beverages containing water conforming to the standards prescribed for packaged drinkiing water under these regulations without added carbon dioxide and may contain ingredients as per sub-clause (i), singly or in combination.

Ingredients such as Sugar, liquid glucose, dextrose monohydrate, invert sugar, fructose, honey, salt and salt substitutes, fruits/ flowers/ vegetables and their products including extractive s, herbs, spices and their derivatives and permitted flavoring, singly or in combination. Non-carbonated water may contain caffeine not exceeding 145 parts per million from whatever sources it may be derived in the formulation of the product:

“Provided that added herbs shall comply with safety requirements as specified in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the regulations made thereunder and shall also be declared on the label,” the Regulation mentions.

For products covered under this standard, specific food additives permitted in Appendix 'A' of these regulations may be used and only within the limits specified.

The products shall conform to the microbiological requirements given in Appendix B of these regulations and the products shall comply with the packaging and labelling requirements as laid down under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011. (KNN Bureau)