The FSSAI through its notification dated 2 September 2020 has asked the Commissioner of Food Safety of all States/UTs and all Central Licensing Authorities not to take any action in case any manufacturer of honey is found using Diatomaceous Earth.
Citing the reference of earlier notification of 31 July 2020, FSSAI said that it had prohibited the use of Diatomaceous Earth as the processing aid but the issue is still under consideration so till the final decision on the use interim relaxation has been granted to manufacturers.
Till a final decision is made on this issue, the earlier directions issued by FSSAI on 31 July 2020 will also be kept in abeyance.
However, the relaxation for use of the Diatomaceous Earth as a processing aid shall not be treated as relaxation for any other notified Standards of honey including the requirement of minimum pollen counts etc. as notified under Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011 as amended from time to time.
The relaxation also does not preclude the FSOs/DOs from another routine sampling, surveillance, enforcement etc. in honey.
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