The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved standards for alcoholic drinks like whiskey and beer and finalised a list of additives to be used for making these products. This is a first for all major alcoholic drinks in the country for which standards and the additives list have been finalised. “FSSAI has finalised a list of food additives and standards with respect to alcoholic beverages,” revealed Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI.
He added that these standards are in alignment with International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) standards. The file has been moved to the Union Health Ministry, and the standards will be operationalised soon after a notification.
“With this, FSSAI has crossed a major landmark in setting of standards for almost all food categories available in the country,” added Agarwal.
Earlier this month, the regulator has operationalised the list of 11,000 food additives provisions that can be used by food businesses in various categories. This is considered important because food products which have been manufactured by using these approved additives may not require product approval.
(PTI)
