FSSAI Extends Deadline for Revised Fruit Juice Packaging

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has extended the deadline for food business operators (FBOs) to use pre-printed packaging materials claiming '100 per cent fruit juices' until December 31, 2024. The extension follows stakeholder consultations about misleading claims in advertisements and labels of reconstituted fruit juices.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has granted an additional four months for food business operators (FBOs) to exhaust pre-printed packaging materials claiming '100 per cent fruit juices' in their products. The new deadline is now December 31, 2024.

The decision to extend the original August 31 deadline was made after extensive consultations with stakeholders. In June, FSSAI had directed FBOs to remove any claims of '100 per cent fruit juices' from labels and advertisements due to increasing concerns over misleading marketing practices.

According to FSSAI, there is no regulatory provision allowing such claims, particularly when the main ingredient is water and not the fruit itself. FBOs have been instructed to adhere to specific labelling standards, including mentioning 'reconstituted' against the name of the juice made from concentrate. Products manufactured before the new deadline can be sold until the end of their shelf life.

(With inputs from agencies.)