The FSSAI had notified standards for caffeinated beverages in December 2016. According to the December notification the transition period of six months, which was to be up to 1 July 2017, had been given to FBOs to comply with the prescribed standards. However, through the direction issued on 15 June 2017 the FSSAI has now decided to extend the date for compliance of standards for caffeinated beverages.
FSSAI has extended date for compliance of standards for Caffeinated Beverages
According to the notified standards the water used in caffeinated beverages must conform to standards of packaged drinking water. The caffeine content must not be less than145mg per litre and not more than 300mg per litre. Certain substances like Taurine D-glucurono-Ү-lactone, Inositol, and Pantothenic Acid are permitted for use provided they are within the specified maximum levels of per day consumption. No new ingredients are permitted to be added without the approval of the FSSAI. The label declarations must carry the words “consume not more than 500 ml per day†The maximum per day quantity of the caffeinated beverage is to be as per package or serving. FBO must also prominently display that caffeinated beverages are not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women, persons sensitive to caffeine.
Since the notification of standards the FSSAI has received several representations from various stakeholders asking for extension of date for enforcement of the above mentioned standards because
- products manufactured and imported in compliance with the draft regulation are still available in the market
- these products will continue to be fit for sale for another one or two years and therefore recalling or removing the currently compliant stock would entail unnecessary logistical and financial burden
After due consideration, the FSSAI has decided to extend the date of compliance up to 31 December 2017. However, the stock of caffeinated beverages must have been manufactured domestically or imported in accordance with FSSAI’ s specified requirements and earlier approvals before 30 June 2017.
