The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (“FSSAI”) on July 17, 2018 issues a notice calling for suggestions, views and comments from the stakeholders on the draft Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Amendment Regulations, 2018 (“Draft Amendment”). The Draft Amendment, proposes to amend the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 (“Principal Regulations”).
The Draft Amendment deals with the “Display of Information in Food Service Establishments.”
The suggestions / comments can be sent to the following address, in the attached format within September 15, 2018:
The Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, 03rd Floor, Food and Drug Administration Bhawan, Kotla road, New Delhi – 110002
or email to regulation@fssai.gov.
Please note that, since we do have clarity on the coverage of Food Service Establishment, we have sought clarity from the department and will be updating you on the same.
Key Highlights of the proposed amendments:
Regulation 2.4.5 (Display of Information in Food Service Establishments) is proposed to be inserted to the Principal Regulations. The amendment lays down the following obligations on Food Service Establishments and E-commerce Food Business Operators:
(1) A Food Service Establishment having central license or outlets at 20 or more locations will be required to clearly display the following:
- calorific value of each of the food items sold by them, referencing information on the requirements of 2000 Kcal energy for an average adult per day on their menu cards or boards.
- information specified below at the point of sale or service of the food:
- any warning/statutory declarations required under these regulations;
- information relating to allergens in the food;
- logo for veg or non-veg;
- information relating to gluten free and low gluten status in food; and
- information relating to organic food or ingredients.
(2) The Food Service Establishments will be required to keep written nutritional information on the food items sold by them in the form of booklets or handouts or on their website which shall be provided to consumers upon request.
(3) The E-commerce Food Business Operators will soon be required to provide the above-mentioned information in the linked with each food service establishment on their platform, where applicable.
Exceptions to the proposed provision are:
- Event caterers and Food Service premises that operate for less than 60 days in a calendar year (consecutively or non-consecutively).
- Self-serve condiments that are free of charge and not listed on the menu.
- Special-order items or modified meals and menu items as per customer’s request.
Source: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
