The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a directive regarding compliance with processing aids under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. This directive was issued on March 14, 2024.
FSSAI has previously notified a list of processing aids permitted in various food products through gazette notifications, with subsequent amendments. Additionally, the Working Group on Processing Aids and Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids, and Materials in Contact with Food are considering several processing aids for inclusion in the regulations. Some have been recommended by the Scientific Panel and are in the process of draft notification, while others are still under consideration.
Recognizing that notification of all such processing aids may take time, FSSAI, in its 41st meeting, decided to establish an active list of processing aids for use by food businesses on a provisional basis until the necessary amendments are gazette notified. The active list of processing aids is provided in the Annexure.
While food businesses may use processing aids listed in the Annexure on technological grounds, FSSAI has directed the Commissioners of Food Safety of all States/Union Territories and all Central Licensing Authorities not to take any punitive action against food business operators for using the processing aids listed in the Annexure that are yet to be notified for enforcement. This directive aims to provide clarity and guidance to food businesses regarding the use of processing aids and to ensure compliance with food safety regulations while also allowing for technological advancements in food processing.
