India-Amendments to Packaging and Labeling Regulations

On July 9, 2013, The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling) Regulations, 2013. The amendments relate to additional labeling requirements for pre-packaged food, edible oils and fats and have been incorporated by FSSAI on the basis of feedback received from various stakeholders on the draft regulations published on December 6, 2012 (IN2170). The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling) Amendment Regulations, 2013 have not been notified to the WTO.

A summary of the amendments is given below.
1. An additional sub-clause (iv) after item (iii) has been added in regulation 2.2, sub-regulation 2.2.2. related to labeling of pre-packaged foods. Additional sub-clause (iv) will read as:
“Edible vegetable oils, fats including hydrogenated vegetable oils, and processed and packaged foods with declared shelf life will have the following declaration on the label:
(i) Total trans fat content not more than ----- percent by weight
(ii) Total saturated fat content not more than ----- percent by weight”

2. An additional sub-clause (c) has been added in clause 4 of regulation 2.4, sub-regulation 2.4.2. related to ‘labeling of edible oils and fats.’ Sub-clause (c) will read as:
“contains trans fatty acids not more than ----- percent by weight, and saturated fatty acids not more than ----- percent by weight.”

The full text of the amendment as given in the notification is attached below and can also be accessed on the FSSAI website.
Details of Notification: F.No.P.15014/1/2011-PFA/FSSAI
* Publication Date: June 27, 2013
* Date of implementation: August 28, 2013
* WTO Notification Date: Not notified (as of July 10, 2013)
Products Affected: All food products
Agency in Charge: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI