8. Safety Parameters
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8. Safety Parameters
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Beers, RTDs, Whisky
India
This section provides the safety parameters (microbiological, contaminants, heavy metals, pesticides, veterinary residues, and food contact materials).
General Food
Ensuring safety in food is crucial for regulatory compliance and public health. The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) prescribes specific limits for microbiological parameters, contaminants, heavy metals, pesticides, veterinary residues, and food contact materials to ensure these alcoholic beverages are safe for consumption.
- Pesticide residues must not exceed prescribed levels. [15]
- Microbiological Standards: Products must be free from pathogens. [32]
- Heavy Metals and Contaminants: Adhere to FSSAI-prescribed limits. Heavy metal limits (lead, cadmium, etc.) as per FSSAI standards. Free from contaminants (e.g., methanol limits in spirits: <0.05%). [15]
- Packaging Standards: Use of food-grade materials as specified by FSSAI and BIS. [17]
Category
Alcoholic beverages
Same as General Food.
Product
1) Beer
Same as "Category" (alcoholic beverages) above.
2) Alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages
Same as "Category" (alcoholic beverages) above.
3) Whisky
Same as "Category" (alcoholic beverages) above.
8.1 Microbiological Standards
Provision, Limits, Testing Methods [32] | |
General Food | The microbiological standards for general foods ensure that food products are safe for consumption and free from harmful microorganisms. FSSAI provides detailed microbiological limits for different food categories, which must be adhered to by manufacturers and producers. These standards are critical for public health, preventing foodborne diseases, and ensuring the safety and quality of food products available in the market. Regular microbiological testing and compliance with FSSAI regulations are essential for food businesses to meet safety requirements and provide safe products to consumers. |
Category Alcoholic beverages | Same as General Food. |
| Product Beer, Alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages, and Whisky | - Products should be tested to ensure the absence of pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. [10] - Pathogens: • E. coli: Must be absent (per 25 ml or specified sample size). • Salmonella: Must be absent (per 25 ml or specified sample size). • Lactobacillus: Presence should not exceed acceptable limits as it may spoil beer. - Spoilage Microorganisms: In beer, specific spoilage microorganisms like Saccharomyces cerevisiae may need monitoring. Beer shall be free from coliforms and other pathogenic microorganisms. [26]Note: Testing labs must be FSSAI-accredited. |
8.2 Contaminants and Heavy Metals
Provision, Limits, Testing Methods [2] | |
General Food | FSSAI's regulations on contaminants and heavy metals help safeguard public health by setting limits on potentially harmful substances in food products. Compliance with standards ensures that food manufacturers produce safe and high-quality foods, free from excessive contaminants and heavy metals, protecting consumers from long-term health risks. |
Category Alcoholic beverages | FSSAI provides clear and comprehensive regulations regarding heavy metals, microbiological limits, and other contaminants in alcoholic beverages to ensure public health and safety. Manufacturers must adhere to these standards to produce safe alcoholic beverages that are free from harmful levels of contaminants. Regular testing, inspections, and compliance with these guidelines are mandatory for food safety. [Ref: 2 - chap 3] |
| Product Beer, Alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages, and Whisky | • Heavy Metals: Lead (<0.01 ppm), Arsenic (<0.01mg/L), Mercury (<0.001 mg/L) Cadmium (0.01 mg/L), Lead (0.05 mg/L) Copper (2mg/L) - beer [10] • Methanol Content: Below 0.05% (critical for spirits to prevent toxicity). • Mycotoxins:
|
8.3 Pesticides
Provision, Limits, Testing Methods [15] | |
General Food | FSSAI regulates pesticide residues in General Foods to ensure the safety of food products for consumption. The regulations are critical because pesticides, which are used in agriculture to control pests, can remain on food products and potentially pose health risks if consumed in excessive amounts. By establishing maximum residue limits (MRLs) for various pesticides in food, FSSAI ensures that the levels of residue remain within safe limits. Regular testing, monitoring, and enforcement of these limits help to protect consumer health and encourage safe agricultural practices in India. |
Category Alcoholic beverages | FSSAI sets maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides in alcoholic beverages, like other food products, to ensure that the levels remain safe for consumption. |
Product Beer, Alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages, and Whisky | FSSAI mandates testing for pesticides in all alcoholic beverages before they are sold, including common pesticides like glyphosate, chlorpyrifos, and DDT. Codex Alimentarius standards [3] Chlorpyrifos: This pesticide is used on crops and its residue can be present in the final beverage. The limit in beer is typically around 0.1 mg/kg. [15] Glyphosate: Present in grain-based products, its permissible limit in alcohol can be up to 0.05 mg/kg in some instances. Common Pesticides Monitored [15]: • Organochlorines: E.g., DDT, aldrin. Permissible limit: <0.05 mg/kg. • Organophosphates: E.g., chlorpyrifos. Permissible limit: <0.01 mg/kg. • Synthetic Pyrethroids: E.g., cypermethrin. Permissible limit: <0.05 mg/kg |
8.4 Veterinary Standards
Provision, Limits, Testing Methods [2] | |
General Food | Veterinary residue limits apply to all food. Antibiotics must be absent. Hormones should be below the detection levels if animal-based ingredients are used. F SSAI Animal product guideline [2], [15] |
Category Alcoholic beverages | Veterinary residue limits are less relevant in beer and whisky (since these do not contain animal-based ingredients); some RTDs may use dairy-based components or honey. |
| Product Beer, Alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages, and Whisky | Same as Category (Alcoholic beverages) above. |
8.5 Food Contact Materials
Please refer to the other reports on packaging requirements for food contact materials and packaging requirements for food contact materials (hygiene standard) for India.
8.6 References
1. FSSAI Act 2006
https://fssai.gov.in/cms/food-safety-and-standards-act-2006.php
2. FSSAI Guidelines on Alcoholic Beverages
3. Alimentarius - Alcoholic Beverages Standards
https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/en/
4. Alcoholic Beverages Standards Regulation, 2018, updated 28 08 2023
https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Comp_Alcoholic_Beverages(III)_28_08_2023.pdf
5. Draft notification on Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Amendment Regulations, 2023 related to standards of Mead (Honey wine), Craft Beer, Indian liquors and definition of Low Alcoholic Beverages/ RTD, wine-based Beverages and, Country Liquors, etc.
https://comments.fssai.gov.in/Bestviewwl.aspx?NOTIFICATION_ID=4345
6. FSSAI Food Additives Regulations (2011)
https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Food_Additives_Regulations.pdf
7. FSSAI Packaging and Labelling Regulations, 2011
https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Compendium_Labelling_Display_23_09_2021.pdf
8. FSSAI Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Chapter 9 – Penalties and Offenses)
9. FSSAI Nutrition and Health Claims Regulations, 2018
https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Gazette_Notification_Advertising_Claims_27_11_2018.pdf
10. FSSAI proposed standards Claims
https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Notice_Comments_Alcoholic_Beverages.pdf
11. FSSAI Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018
12. BIS FMCS - Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme
https://www.bis.gov.in/fmcs/certification-process/products-under-fmcs/
13. Custom clearance process
14. Direct and Indirect Taxes
15. Pesticide residue FSSAI Pesticide and Contaminant Regulations (Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins, and Residues) Regulations, 2011)
16. Consumer Protection Act, 2019 Specifies penalties for misleading advertisements, including alcohol-related campaigns
17. BIS standards for packaging materials (e.g., IS 15410 for food-grade plastics)
18. IS 3752 Specification for Beer
19. IS 6613: Standards for distilled beverages
https://www.services.bis.gov.in/tmp/rp_19122023_658141877ea41.pdf
20. Haryana Excise law
21. Delhi Excise Law
22. Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI): ASCI oversees advertising content to ensure ethical practices, including compliance for surrogate advertising of alcoholic beverages. For detailed guidelines
https://www.ascionline.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Code-Book_Codes_Webready.pdf
23. Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995: This act prohibits direct advertising of alcohol on cable TV and sets conditions for surrogate advertising
Home | Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
24. Food Safety Mantra Blog on FSSAI Alcoholic Beverages Standards: A helpful summary of the FSSAI and excise-related guidelines for alcohol advertising
Alcoholic Beverages | FSSAI Guidelines | Food Safety Mantra Blog
25. Consumer Protection Act, 2019: Specifies penalties for misleading advertisements, including alcohol-related campaigns
Legislative Department | Legislative Department | India
26. Alcohol test
27. Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specified Food) Regulations, 2017
28. FSSAI Food Licensing and Registration System
https://foscos.fssai.gov.in/about-flrs
29. Food Import Clearance System
30. ReFoM portal
https://sites.fssai.gov.in/refom/
31. Food safety and standard (Import) Regulation, 2017
https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Compendium_Food_Import_Regulations_05_06_2022.pdf
32. Microbiological standards
https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/20_%20Appendix%20B.pdf
33. Shipment declaration
34. ISO 5555: Standard for testing phenolic compounds in wines
35. ISO 15192: Standard for beer quality testing, including compounds like esters and aldehydes
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