“After conducting a comprehensive analysis, the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018 do not allow for the making of a ‘100%’ claim,” the FSSAI stated.
In an attempt to stop deceptive advertising, the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered food producers to remove any claims of “100% fruit juice” from their product labels and marketing. This regulation applies to reconstituted fruit juices, which are not true freshly squeezed fruit juices but are instead comprised of pulp, water, and fruit concentrates.
This is happening at the same time that concerns are being voiced regarding the “100% fruit juice” claim, which can lead people to believe that products they buy and use are produced entirely of fresh juice and are therefore completely healthy, when in reality, they are composed of reconstituted fruit juice.
In response to many fraudulent reports of food business operators (FBOs) inflating the label to represent the health benefits of their goods, the FSSAI has released this order. Nonetheless, it has given these businesses until September 1, 2024, to use up all of the pre-printed packaging materials that are already in use and to make sure that fruit juice standards are met in accordance with the applicable legislation.
The FSSAI said in a statement on Monday that “it has come to the attention of several FBOs that they have been inaccurately marketing various types of reconstituted fruit juices by claiming them to be 100% fruit juices.”
“After careful analysis, the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018 do not allow for the making of a ‘100%’ claim, the Food Safety and Standards Institute (FSSAI) has concluded.”
The Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018 do not permit the use of the 100% claim, which is false and misleading when it is used.
“These statements are deceptive, especially when the fruit juice is primarily composed of water and the claimed ingredient is only present in trace amounts, or when the fruit juice is reconstituted with water and fruit pulp or concentrates,” the FSSAI stated.
All items that are reconstituted from concentrate must clearly disclose on the label that they are reconstituted,’ in accordance with these criteria. A label stating “sweetened juice” must also be applied if more than 15 grams per kilogram of nutritional sweeteners are being utilized.
These actions are a part of the FSSAI’s continuous efforts to safeguard consumers and advance public health by enforcing and monitoring food safety regulations throughout India.
The FBOs’ incorrect use of the “100% fruit juice” labels served as the impetus for this action, and they have been instructed to comprehend and abide by the fruit juice standards outlined in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011. The Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, must be followed by all labels.
