FSSAI has issued a notification dated 7 December 2020 with directions regarding the operationalization of certain provisions of draft Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additive) Amendment Regulations, 2020 which are related to the use of certain food colours.
On 22 June 2020 the FSSAI had issued directions for the operationalisation of these amendments. However, on receipt of representation from the stakeholders, the Scientific Panel on Food Additive in its 46th Meeting recommended for permission of Food colour namely Allura Red in the food category 14.2.6 Distilled Spirituous Beverages except for the country liquors up to 100mg/Kg. Further, Scientific Panel has observed that the combination of these food colours, as permitted in the earlier FSSAI direction. was not recommended.
Therefore, in view of the recommendation and observation of the Scientific Panel, the FSSAI has decided to operationalise the revised provisions related to use of certain food colour in Distilled Spirituous Beverages and use of Allura Red in food category 14.2.6 Distilled Spirituous Beverages except for the country liquors up to 100mg/Kg with immediate effect
The FSSAI has given the notice for the operationalisation of these regulations and these regulations may be called the Food Safety and Standards (Food product Standards and Food Additive) Amendment Regulations 2020.
Draft Regulations
In the Food Safety and Standards (Food product Standards and Food Additive) Regulations 2011 the following amendments have been made.
In Appendix A, in Table no 14, (Beverages, excluding dairy products) in the food category 14.2. 6 related to “Distilled Spirituous Beverages” the following food additives have been added.
| Food Additives | INS Number | Recommended maximum level | Note |
| Tartrazine | 102 | 100mg/Kg | 1.These colours can only be used individually and their combinations are not permitted.
2. These colours are not permitted to be used in Country Liquors as defined under regulation 2.2 of the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages Regulations 2018) |
| Carmoisine | 122 | 100mg/Kg | |
| Brilliant Blue FCF | 133 | 100mg/Kg | |
| Sunset yellow FCF | 110 | 100mg/Kg | |
| Ponceau 4R | 124 | 100mg/Kg | |
| Allura Red | 129 | 100mg/Kg |
