FSSAI proposes to relax norms for carbonated drinks

Food safety regulator FSSAI has proposed to relax norms for carbonated drinks with fruit juices allowing lesser content of the latter in a bid to encourage beverage companies to mix juices in their products.

Seeking comments from stakeholders, FSSAI said in a draft notification that "in case the quantity of fruit juice is below 10% but not less than 5% (2.5% in case of lime or lemon), the product shall be called 'carbonated beverage with fruit juice'." In such cases the requirement of TSS (Total Soluble Solids) shall not apply and the quantity of fruit juice shall be declared on the label, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said.

Indian Beverages Association wanted the minimum requirement for 10% of total soluble solids in carbonated fruit drinks to be revised to 3%. TSS is considered as a measure of quality of fruit juice with higher the better, subject to low presence of added sugar and limited quantity of other thickening agents.

The notification by FSSAI comes more than a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked multinational cola giants to add fruit juices to their drinks to help Indian farmers increase sales. However, beverage makers wanted relaxation of conditions such as the minimum 10% fruit juice or pulp requirement in carbonated beverages with fruit juices and 5% in case of lemon. Earlier this year, Coca Cola responded positively to the Prime Minister's call with the announcement of new 'juice with fizz' drink.