The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an immediate directive for all Food Business Operators (FBOs) to stop labeling and advertising reconstituted fruit juices as "100 percent fruit juice."
FSSAI's new regulation mandates the cessation of the use of "100% fruit juice" claims on labels and advertisements for reconstituted fruit juices. This action is aimed at curbing misleading marketing practices that do not accurately reflect the actual content of these products. Specifically, the authority has raised concerns that such claims can be deceptive when the primary constituent of the juice is water, not fruit concentrate, in the advertised proportions.
Furthermore, FSSAI has instructed all FBOs to exhaust their existing pre-printed packaging materials by September 1, 2024. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has supported this directive, emphasizing the need for accurate and honest labeling to uphold consumer rights and trust.
The regulations stipulate that products covered under this standard must explicitly mention "reconstituted" in the ingredient list if the juice is made from concentrate. Moreover, if added nutritive sweeteners exceed 15 gm/kg, the label must clearly state 'Sweetened juice.'
For detailed information, including the official statement from FSSAI, you can read the full directive here.