The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive to all Food Business Operators (FBOs), requiring the immediate removal of '100% fruit juice' claims from labels and advertisements of reconstituted fruit juices. This action follows the discovery of misleading marketing practices by several FBOs, who have inaccurately labeled various types of reconstituted fruit juices as being 100 percent fruit juice. FSSAI's examination revealed that such claims do not comply with the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, which does not allow for a '100%' claim when the product is primarily water and the fruit content is not wholly derived from direct juice.
FBOs must exhaust all existing pre-printed packaging materials before 1st September 2024, adhering to the standards specified under sub-regulation 2.3.6 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards & Food Additives) Regulation, 2011. This includes labeling reconstituted juice accurately in the ingredient list and specifying if added nutritive sweeteners exceed 15 gm/kg, in which case the product must be labeled as 'Sweetened juice'. FSSAI emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding public health by regulating food safety standards throughout India.
Source: indiatoday.in