Food News – FSSAI fixes level of alcohol to 0.5% abv for ‘non-alcoholic’ beverages

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has fixed the level of alcohol to 0.5% abv-alcohol by volume for ‘non-alcoholic’ beverages.

FSSAI has issued a draft of regulations to include standards for ‘non-alcoholic counterparts’ of alcoholic beverages and flavored beer in the FSS (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018.

Called the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Amendment Regulations, 2021, the FSSAI has asked the stakeholders to provide suggestions or objections on the same.

The draft reads, “Non-alcoholic counterpart of alcoholic beverage” means non-alcoholic beverage having alcohol content less than or equal to 0.5% abv,” and added that it should meet all the requirements of respective alcoholic beverage of origin except the ethyl alcohol content.

“Additionally, the alcoholic beverage of the origin must undergo the process of fermentation and the produced alcohol is removed thereafter,” the draft added.

Further, the draft on flavoured beer says that, ‘Beer containing flavours as per the provisions prescribed under Section 14 for beverages, excluding dairy products, of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, will be called flavoured beer and such beer shall meet all the other requirements of the beer, as specified under these regulations.
Food businesses can comment on the subject until the third week of January. The FSSAI has notified Alcoholic Beverages Regulations in 2018.