FSSAI has regulatory standards for non-carbonated water-based beverages (Non-Alcoholic) in Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011.

In this blog, read in detail about the definition of non-carbonated water-based beverages (non-alcoholic), permitted ingredients, labelling and advertisement guidelines, the latest FSSAI order on compliance with the standards and the penalty for FBOs on non-compliance.

What are the FSSAI’s Regulatory Standards for Non-carbonated Water Based Beverages (Non-Alcoholic)?

Definition: Non-carbonated Water Based Beverages (Non-Alcoholic) means beverages containing water conforming to the standards prescribed for packaged drinking water under these regulations without added carbon dioxide and may contain ingredients as specified in sub-clause (i), singly or in combination.
Permitted Ingredients: Ingredients in sub-clause (i): Sugar, liquid glucose, dextrose monohydrate, invert sugar, fructose, honey, salt and salt substitutes, fruits or flowers or vegetables and their products including extractives, herbs, spices and their derivatives and permitted flavouring, singly or in combination.
The non-carbonated water may also contain caffeine not exceeding 145 parts per million from whatever sources it may be derived from in the formulation of the product.
Labelling: The product is not being represented as “Water” in any form, be it the name of the product or label or through advertisement or representation by means.
Permitted Quantity of Vitamins and Minerals: The quantities of vitamins and minerals in the said products are as per the standards of Packaged drinking water (sub-regulation) or Mineral water (sub-regulation 2.10.7).

It may be noted that the direction issued by FSSAI dated 22.10.21 regarding the addition of vitamins and minerals up to one RDA in any standardized food products listed under FSSR does not apply to these products, as the limits for vitamins and minerals are already specified in the base (PWD or MW) of these products.

Latest Order on Regulatory Compliance

The FSSAI issued a notification on 12th January 2023 regarding enforcement of compliance with the standards for non-carbonated water-based beverages (non-alcoholic) under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulation 2011.

Penalty for Non-compliance

Licenses will be scrutinised for non-carbonated water-based beverages under the food category 14.1.4.2.
On the basis of the above conditions, non-compliant FBOs may be asked to either rectify the product formulation and labelling or discontinue manufacturing of such products if required, failing which appropriate action may be taken under FSSA 2006.

The FBOs were required to comply with the said amendment provisions by 1st February 2022.

Source: FSSAI