FSSAI has issued a letter stating that it has extended the deadline to comply with the labelling provisions for frozen desserts or confectionery products under the food additive category by six months.

It October 2017, the country’s apex food regulator had issued a gazette notification specifying revised standards for milk and milk products under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Thirteenth Amendment Regulation, 2017.

The concerned food business operators (FBOs) were told to comply with the revised standards till July 1, 2018.

As per the gazette, under Regulation 2.1 related to dairy and dairy products, Sub-regulation 2.1.15 standard for frozen desserts or confections with added vegetable oil/fat or vegetable proteins, or both. Clause 6 (c) for labelling directs to mention the percentage amount on the product label.

It reads, “Every package of frozen dessert or frozen confection shall bear the following label, namely:  Contains ………. % milk fat/edible vegetable oil/vegetable fat and vegetable protein product.”

However, certain sections of the stakeholders had issued some concerns over the labelling for the frozen desserts or confections with added vegetable oil/fat and/or vegetable protein and the nomenclature of these products vis-a-vis ice cream under these regulations.

Through the letter, FSSAI stated that it was reviewing the issue and awaiting the final outcome of the review. Therefore, till the final outcome on the issue, it has allowed the compliance of Clause 6 (c) for another six months time (i e upto January 1, 2019) or till further order, whichever is earlier.

FBOs have to comply with all other standards and labelling provisions specified for the said products under the regulations.