FSSAI License – Dried Fruit & Nuts Food Business Operators (FBO) in India

Sonal Pruthi

15 Jan, 2021

The food industry is essential for every country and its growth. More important is the way the government governs the licensing process at various levels for the food industry. In India, all kind of Food Operators (e.g.-dry fruits business) is governed by the FSSAI. Every type of food produced, manufactured, goes for labeling, or through export or import, has to obtain the License for it from FSSAI. FSSAI is a governing body.

The ruling Act is “Food Safety and Standards and Food Additives) Regulation 2001 which has been amended,  via, Food Safety & Standards (Food Products Standards & Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2018”.

Here, the dried fruits have been added under the category of processed food. The dried fruits have been defined accordingly,

The fruit from which water is removed to prevent microbial growth and which basically includes: dried fruit leathers -fruit roll), prepared by drying fruit purees. It has such as- cashew nut- almond- raisins- dried apple slices- figs- copra dried coconut whole or cut, or dried shredded or flaked coconut, prunes, dehydrated fruits, etc.

According to the Food Safety & Standards (Food Product Standards & Food Additives) Regulation Act, 2011 has given the definition of Dried fruits as where the product is obtained after drying,  at proper maturity, that are fruits or nuts.

Guidelines: Food Business Operators of Dried Fruits and Nuts

1. The product has to be with or without stalks, shelled or unshelled, pitted or unpitted, or pressed into blocks.
2. The product has to be free from mold, living/dead insects, insect fragments, and rotten contamination.
3. The product must be uniform in color with pleasant taste and flavor characteristics of the fruit, nut-free from flavor, mustiness, or rancidity, and evidence of fermentation.
4. The product should be free from added coloring. 
5. The product must follow have the requisites such as:

• Here the extraneous vegetable matter stalks, pieces of shells, pits, fiber, peel,
• Damaged or discolored product means a unit that has been affected by sunburn, scars, mechanical injury, discoloration, and insects.

Why is License necessary to FBO of Dried Fruits?

1. The importance of a License is to ensure that whatever food sold in India is safe for consumption and under public health.
2. Food Safety and Standard Authority of India- FSSAI is an autonomous body that regulates and gives a License (FSSAI License) to sell food products in India.
3. FSSAI License ensures that the food products which are manufactured, produced, or exported imported- is under public health guidelines and safe for the consumption.
4. FSSAI License monitors the sale of eatables in India.
5. The FSSAI License stops the sale of adulterated food products. As it inspects and certifies the products in its laboratory, whether it is substandard or not.
6. It also prevents adulteration and contamination of food products.
7. It maintains the quality.
8. The food served is full of nutrition, and done is healthy- this is why an FSSAI License has been issued.
9. The body ensures that the food business operators be it a big retailer to small hawker- following the safety guidelines.
10. FSSAI License covers everything from manufacturing, Packaging, labeling, etc.
11. All kinds of business,whether it is diary business and grocery stores, comes under the FSSAI License.
12. After the setting up of the FSSAI, it has improved the quality of food products.

Read our article:FSSAI License for Hotels: Guidelines for Hotels

FSSAI License for Dried Fruits Food Business Operators in India – Registration Procedure

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India^[1]– F.N.o.-2-15015/30/2010- By the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has specified a procedure for compliance of Food Safety in India. A procedure has been laid down for the food business operators in India to operate any food business.

The process states that there has to be registration, and then the food business operator shall commence the business.

The FBO has to follow the hygiene practices, according to Schedule 4 of the Food Safety Standards Act, 2011:

Labelling Procedure Safety and Standards (Packaging & Labelling) Regulations, 2011

It is a matter of human concern, nutrition, safety, clean, wholesome food; it is indispensable to the health and welfare of the consumer, as food is the perishable commodity, which is easily susceptible to contamination, adulteration, and primary hygienic conditions are necessary.

The premises where food is being handled, processed, manufactured, stored, distributed, by the food business operators whether the holder of the registration certificate or FSSAI License as per the conditions laid down under the Act, and the persons handling them should follow the hygienic conditions, food safety measure, and other specified requirements as specified below.

It is for the food business operators to follow these requirements:

Conditions for FBO –Dried Fruits

The conditions which the food operators of dried fruits and nuts have to follow as follows according to Schedule 4 of the FSS Act, 2006 amended in 2011:

1. The raw fruits used for preparing the dried fruits must be free from chemicals, pesticides, etc.
2. Proper Hygiene and Sanitaryconditions must be followed.
3. Portable and drinking water must be used in the process of microbial contamination.
4. Proper equipment must be used for any desiccations in the process.
5. The fruits must be appropriately stored; thermal conditions must be maintained, as the fruits get dehydrated very quickly and looses their shell life.
6.  There should be a proper facility for cold storage for the raw, processed, or packaged food according to the type and requirement.
7. The packaging shall provide protection to all the food products, to prevent it from contamination, and damage,
8. It shall accommodate accordingly the labeling requirements as laid down under FSSAI Act and the Regulations there under.
9. Temperatures and humidity where it has to be maintained, for sustaining the food quality and safety should be done. Such containers should be used which can handle the temperature and rate of the dried fruits.

Conclusion

The raw fruits and dried fruits are used for human consumption and must be subject to treatments. Dried fruits should be regularly tested for microbial or chemicals and pesticides amount in it used under NABL Certified Laboratory. There is prescribed limit for the use of Pesticides and chemicals.

Since the dry fruits have an appealing taste and are beneficial at the health standards. So the regular checks by the FSSAI is mandatory.

The Dry fruit industry is big in India. It is expected to grow multiple times in the coming years. The regular check helps us to meet the global market standards.

Read our article:FSSAI Guidelines for Organic Foods