“Atta” should be mentioned as “Whole Wheat Flour” & Maida as “Refined Wheat Flour," on Food

“Atta” should be mentioned as “Whole Wheat Flour” & Maida as “Refined Wheat Flour,” on Food

he Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed packaged- food companies to ensure that they label ‘atta’ as whole wheat flour and ‘maida’ as refined wheat flour. This direction came after the regulator observed that food business operators were using wheat flour as a general English nomenclature for both atta and maida on food product labels. This directive on labelling will help consumers make informed choices.

Direction under section 16(5) food safety and Standards act, 2006 recording use of the term wheat flour / whole wheat flour / refined wheat flour as English nomenclature aata aur maida on the packaging Label of food products 1. Standards for maida are prescribed in the sub regulation 2.4.2 of food safety and Standards( food product standards and food additives) regulations, 2011 very close 3 of relating to protein reach maida actions the term maida( wheat flour). However it has been observed that food business operators are using the term is English nomenclature for murder on the label of the food products which does not convey the exact nature of ingredients used for manufacturing of various food items consumers as well as enforcement officials. 2. Representations from various stakeholders have been received with the regards to issuance of clarification regarding a common name viz. Wheat flour/ refined wheat flour in English for maida. 3. The issue of usage of the term wheat flour/ whole wheat flour/ refined floor, wherever the same is used as singly or as ingredient in food items on the packaging label ab food products has been examined in detail and has been decided for strict compliance by food business operators:

• Aata should be labelled as whole wheat flour(Atta) wherever the same is used as singly or ingredient in food items.
• Maida should be labelled as refined wheat flour(Maida) wherever the same is as singly or ingredient in food items.

4. Food business operator sir directed to comply with this requirements by 30th April 2019. Commissioners of state / UTs are requested to ensure compliance of this order and no legal action should be initiated in this matter till the implementation of the same as per timeline mentioned above. 5. This issue with approval of competent authority exercise of the power vested with food Authority under section 16(5) of FSS Act, 2006.

Organic products will have to use FSSAI’s Organic Logo

Use of FSSAI’s Organic Logo has been implemented with effect from 1 April, 2019. Organic products will have to use this logo on their labelling. Retailers may also be required to endorse their licenses during renewal process.

As per notification, the Food Business Operators are required to ensure compliance of their existing and new products with all provisions of these regulations and Food Business Operator shall also comply with various regulations notified under FSS Act, 2006. Based on various representation received from stakeholders and review preparedness of the implementation of above regulation, it has been decided that the use of FSSAI’s Organic Logo (Jaivik Bharat Logo) shall be implemented w.e.f. 1st April, 2019. Further it has also been decided that the retailers who are dealing with Organic foods may also be required to endorse their licenses during renewal process.