The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a notice emphasising on compliance with Standards for Non-Carbonated Water Based Beverage (Non-Alcoholic) under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. This notification was issued on 12th January, 2022 and updated on the FSSAI portal on 1st February, 2023.
It may be recalled that on 26th July, 2021 the FSSAI had issued an amendment defining Non-Carbonated Water Based Beverage (Non-Alcoholic). The amendment stated that Non-Carbonated Water Based Beverage (Non-Alcoholic) means beverages containing water conforming to the standards prescribed for packaged drinking water or mineral water, without added carbon dioxide. These shall also contain specified ingredients solely or in combination.
Food Business Operators (FBOs) were required to comply with the said amendment by 1st February, 2022.
Hence the present notification urges all regional directors to scrutinise licences granted for Non-Carbonated Water Based Beverage (Non-Alcoholic) in respect of the following:
- that these beverages are manufactured with water conforming with standards for packaged drinking water or mineral water
- that the beverages mandatorily contain the specified ingredients either singly or in combination
- that the beverage is not represented as water in any form, either by product name, label, advertisement or representation by any means
- quantities of vitamins and minerals in these beverages must conform to standards for packaged drinking water or mineral water
Hence, any FBOs not complying with the above requirements will be issued improvement notices. Thereupon, FBOs will be required to either conform with the above requirements or discontinue the manufacture of these beverages. Failure to comply with this notice will make the FBO liable to appropriate action.
