The Fragrances and Flavours Association of India (FAFAI) is seeking clarity on three ambiguous aspects pertaining to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. These are additives other than flavourings; flavourings and colourings; and active ingredients (which India imports).
This information was provided by Ravi Mehra, chairman, flavours sub-committee, FAFAI, in a telephonic conversation with FnB News. He added that he attended a gathering of industry professionals and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) officials in New Delhi last week, where he suggested amendments to the existing rules.
“As far as flavourings and colourings are concerned, we would like the FSSAI to focus solely on the flavourings and colourings used in foods only. They should not interfere in fragrance flavourings and colourings,” he said. Regarding the other two, he said, “Flavourings are not additives and shouldn't be treated as such; and India doesn't manufacture active ingredients.”
“These changes have been forwarded to the authorities. They said they will review them and revert in a couple of months,” Mehra said, adding that while a manufacturer of any product obviously has to keep his formula a trade secret, “misleading the consumers is unethical and can be avoided simply by putting appropriate labels on the containers before selling them.”
