The proposed amendment is a harmonization measure designed to align older provisions with Indias current food packaging and labelling framework. It replaces references to the outdated Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 with the updated Packaging Regulations, 2018 and Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020. A key change is the consistent replacement of the term labelling with labelling and packaging, reflecting an integrated compliance approach.
The amendment updates multiple chapters across various food categories, including dairy, fats and oils, beverages, cereals, meat products, tea and coffee, and others, ensuring uniform alignment with the latest regulations. It also removes obsolete provisions (such as legacy requirements for flavoured tea), streamlines redundant clauses, updates product-specific labelling requirements like coffeechicory blends to comply with Schedule II of the 2020 Regulations, and revises sweetener declarations to align with Appendix A terminology.
Importantly, the amendment does not introduce new additives, compositional standards, or safety limits; it is primarily a structural and legal alignment exercise. While food business operators will need to update regulatory references and ensure label compliance with current schedules, the changes are clarificatory in nature and are not expected to impact product formulations. Overall, the amendment strengthens clarity, consistency, and enforceability within Indias food safety framework.
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