New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive requiring all Food Business Operators (FBOs) to cease using claims of ‘100% fruit juices’ on the labels and advertisements of reconstituted fruit juices with immediate effect. FBOs have also been instructed to use up all existing pre-printed packaging materials before September 1, 2024.
The directive follows FSSAI’s discovery that several FBOs have been misleadingly marketing various reconstituted fruit juices as ‘100% fruit juices’. A thorough examination by FSSAI revealed that, according to the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, such a claim is not permissible. The regulations highlight that such assertions can be misleading, especially when the main component of the fruit juice is water, with the actual fruit content being minimal, or when the juice is reconstituted from water and fruit concentrates or pulp.
FSSAI has clarified that all FBOs must adhere to the standards specified under sub-regulation 2.3.6 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards & Food Additives) Regulation, 2011. This regulation mandates that products covered by this standard must be labeled in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. Specifically, the ingredient list must clearly state “reconstituted” against the name of the juice that is reconstituted from concentrate. Furthermore, if the added nutritive sweeteners exceed 15 gm/kg, the product must be labeled as ‘Sweetened juice’.
“The misuse of ‘100% fruit juice’ claims undermines consumer trust and violates regulatory standards,” an FSSAI spokesperson stated. “This directive is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and protect public health.”
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