FSSAI Standards for ‘Caffeinated Beverages’ like Energy Drinks

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has set up the limit of Caffeine content for Energy Drinks, under the standards for Caffeinated Beverage. The apex body under the category of water based flavoured drinks, described the ‘so-called Energy drinks’ as the drinks that contain high levels of nutrients and other ingredients.

This step of regulating caffeinated beverages from FSSAI came after a series of popular energy drinks in the Indian market were found to contain caffeine content beyond recommended daily consumption level. Many ingredients being used in the caffeinated beverages were not approved for use as per the Indian food regulations. The energy drinks were being sold with added vitamins above their Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).

The food safety standards state that the non-alcoholic beverages containing caffeine above 145 mg per litre will be labelled as “Caffeinated Beverage”.  The maximum permissible level of caffeine content in these beverages is 300 mg per litre irrespective of the source. With this, it will be mentioned on the labels that one should “Consume not more than 500 ml per day”. This will limit how much of energy drink a consumer can have in a day.

The companies marketing Energy Drinks have to comply with the special labelling regulations. They need to declare ‘High caffeine’, with the quantity of caffeine. There should be prominent display saying “Not recommended for children, pregnant and lactating women, persons sensitive to caffeine’ on the product.

FSSAI has also prescribed a limit of maximum one Recommended Daily Allowance level in per day serving (i.e. 100% RDA) for the use of Vitamins such as Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12. The use of amino acids such as Taurine, Inositol etc. can also be done within their prescribed limits for per day serving.

There is a trend of increase consumption of Energy Drinks among the young population. It has raised the concern of food safety authority. FSSAI with the agenda of consumer safety on priority, is ensuring the implementation of these standards with regular enforcement activities.

India has become one of the first few countries to have regulations for the sale of Energy Drinks. It makes these standards difficult to follow with so many conditions and requirements to fulfil. Food companies involved in the manufacturing, marketing or import of Energy drinks are now seeking the help of experts to comply with the FSSAI Regulations.

 

Reference –

1. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011- https://fssai.gov.in/dam/jcr:9af0ebd7-95d9-4ca4-b1f0-9c871 759b385/Compendium_Food_Additives_Regulations_22_01_2019.pdf (Accessed on: 08.02.2019)