FSSAI proposes fixing permissible limit for lead content in fruits, pulses, and juices

The Indian food safety watchdog Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a draft regulation that proposes a permissible limit of lead in a wide range of food products.

The move follows a crackdown on the popular Nestle noodle brand Maggi, which was found to contain more than seven times the permissible amount of lead, leading to a ban on the product across many Indian states.

Under the latest notification, the agency said it would bring food items including mineral water, salt, jam, fish, and meat, among others, under mandatory compliance of maximum limits of heavy metals, such as tin, arsenic and cadmium.

The FSSAI has specified the lead content for food items in milk, salt, fruits and vegetables, canned fruit juices, fish, poultry, meat, and pulses.

The regulator will also look into mineral water, fish, salt, olive oil, edible fats, and oils to ensure limited arsenic content.

The agency has called for suggestions and objections on the proposals, that have to be submitted within 60 days before it finally notifies the norms for the mandatory implementation by all food operators.

Meanwhile, the Press Trust of India reported that the watchdog might soon bring alcoholic beverages under its observation, as it may come up with a draft notification on the standards of alcoholic beverages in the next two months.

Alcoholic drinks including whiskey, vodka, gin, beer and even brands of alcopop might come under the proposed regulation.

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Image: THe FSSAI might soon propose regulations for alcoholic beverages. Photo: courtesy of dan/ freedigitalphotos.net.