The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched new regulations for labeling on packaged foods, including dairy and bakery products, and is seeking suggestions from its stakeholders regarding the proposal.
One of the regulations introduced is that every food and beverage package, containing plant stanol esters should feature a declaration as well as the amount per 100g or 100ml.
The labeling should also state that those on cholesterol-lowering medication, pregnant or breast-feeding mothers and children under five should use the product only under medical supervision; consumption of more than 3g of added plant stanol should be avoided.
This rule is applicable to milk products, milk-based fruit drinks, fat spread, fermented milk products, soy and rice drinks, cheese products, yogurt products, spice sauces, salad dressings, juices and nectar.
The other rule proposed by the FSSAI states that if a product comprises Trehalose, the labeling should feature that it contains Trehalose, a source of glucose.
This regulation is applicable to products such as biscuits, bread, breakfast cereals, carbonated water, thermally processed foods, marmalade, carbohydrate based and milk product based sweets.
