Recently, the country’s apex food regulator notified the Food Fortification Regulations, 2018, with which the FBOs need to comply by January 2019.
As per the Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2018, the +F logo must be displayed on the labels of fortified foods so as to promote the voluntary fortification of food products. They state that every package of fortified food shall carry the words ‘fortified with ………… (name of the fortificant)’ and the logo.
However, the regulations added, “Common salt used for direct consumption cannot be sold or offered in the market for sale without iodisation. Since 2005, iodisation of salt has become mandatory, and thus, common salt does not require any such promotion or identity as being fortified.
Another reason the apex regulator has taken into account for giving the exemption is to differentiate between iodised salt and double-fortified salt. As per the mandate, only iodised salt which contains iron can be sold to consumer. According to the fortification standards, double-fortified salt is fortified with both iodine and iron, where they are combined.
As per FSSAI, if only iodine is used as fortification, there is no need to display the +F logo, as iodisation is mandatory. However, double-fortified salt will carry the +F log on the label.
Sonal Dhemla, research scholar, department of home science, University of Rajasthan, said, “The suggested +F logo indicates the addition of extra nutrients in the particular product.”
“It is generally the staple foods, i e wheat flour, milk, oil, salt, etc., that are being fortified, as they are consumed on daily basis,” she added.
“The recent FSSAI move of exempting the salt from carrying the +F logo, would be a good decision, as consumers can easily distinguish the iodised salt and salt with other fortificants like iron, and thus can purchase the salt of their choice,” Dhemla said.
“If we talk about exemption of logo from salt, consumers in the country have become habituated to and familiar with the iodised salt packaging and can recognise it very easily,” he added.
Standards on natural spring water
Meanwhile, FSSAI has issued new standards on natural spring water. The apex regulator, through a gazette notification, has notified this category.
Under the regulation relating to Beverages (Other than Dairy and Fruits and Vegetables based), the sub-regulation relating to mineral water, a new clause on natural spring water has been added. Previously, there were no standards for natural spring water.
As per the gazette, “Natural spring water is defined as water which has been derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth at an identified location.”
It added, “Spring water shall be collected only at the spring or through a borehole tapping the underground formation feeding the spring. There shall be a natural force causing the water to flow to the surface through an orifice.”
Further, it is mentioned that the product shall conform to the standards for mineral water as specified in the regulation with regard to microbiological requirements, organoleptic and physical parameters, general parameters concerning substances undesirable in excessive amounts, parameters concerning toxic substance, radio-active residues and pesticide residues.
However, the total dissolved solids (TDS) content for natural spring water will be different and should be not more than 750mg/litre.
The draft for the proposed amendment was published on October 12, 2017, and were put for suggestions.
After taking these into consideration, FSSAI has amended the additives regulations. The notified regulation would be termed as Food Safety and Standard (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Eighth Amendment Regulations, 2018.
