The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India ( “FSSAI”) has issued an Advisory prohibiting unauthorized use of liquid Nitrogen as an additive in food by Food serving establishments/restaurants, Bars etc. The FSSAI has issued this prohibition because this is not the intended purpose/technological use of the additive and must be considered as non-compliance by food businesses doing so. Any violation of this Advisory will result in the initiation of statutory action against the Food Businesses as per the Food Safety and Security Act 2006 and rule/ regulations under it.
Background:
As per Appendix A, of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 (Regulations”), Nitrogen (INS 941) is a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) additive and . But, as emphasized by the FSSAI, the use of INS 941 in food products which are being prepared by adding liquid nitrogen at the point of sale, immediately before consumption violates the Food Safety and Standards regulations.
Further, as per Appendix C of the said Regulations, liquid nitrogen (INS 941) is permitted to be used in Dairy based Desserts- Ice cream at GMP level for technological function of ‘Contact freezing and cooling’ only. But it is intended to serve any of the said technological uses during food processing only.
A copy of the Advisory is linked below for ease of reference.
Source: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
