FSSAI Standards & FSSAI License for Energy Drinks

Ashish M. Shaji

13 Jan, 2021

FSSAI License is necessary for those in energy drink manufacturing. Its consumption has increased significantly therefore we have described FSSAI standards and FSSAI License for energy drinks in this article.

What is an Energy Drink?

An Energy Drink is a type of beverage usually made up of caffeine, which is marketed as providing mental and physical stimulation. They may or may not be carbonated but most of them contain sugar or other sweeteners, herbal extracts, taurine, and amino acids. Many energy products are available in the market which includes bars, food items, and various sports drinks^[1], which are advertised as energy providing products for enhancing sports performance.

Need for FSSAI Standards for Energy Drinks

It is a billion-dollar industry with a growth rate of 20-25% every year. Millions of people consume caffeinated or carbonated beverages every day for increasing endurance and stamina. However, consumption of these drinks has led to an increase in health risks despite the commercials showing their benefits on TV.

A study published by the World Health Organization said that Caffeine overdose has many side effects in youths and adults like palpitations, over-stimulation, and behavioral changes. Also, it has caused many serious side effects among children and pregnant women.

With an increasing trend in consumption of these energy drinks, the FSSAI licensing came up with new standards on Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011 regarding caffeinated beverages. FSSAI has provided that the companies will need to comply with all the provisions of these regulations by July 1, 2017.

If you are starting an energy drink business then you need to apply for FSSAI registration or FSSAI license as per turnover of your business.

FSSAI Standards for the use of Contents in Beverages

The FSSAI standards have set that the caffeine level should not be less than 145 mg per litre and not more than 300 mg/litre. Also, the limits for other ingredients, such as Taurine, Inositol among others as well as vitamins, to be added to caffeinated beverages have been set.

If the Beverage contains Saccharin Sodium, it should not exceed 100 ppm, or Acesulfame-K should not exceed 300 ppm or Aspartame (methyl ester) not exceeding 770 ppm. Sucralose should not exceed 300 ppm whereas the maximum limit for Neotame is 33 ppm.

The Beverage Manufacturers are required to appoint a Food Supervisor for maintaining safety levels of the beverages. An Audit and a Hazard Analysis must be conducted periodically to check whether the beverage complies with the food standards set for the product by FSSAI.

Where the Energy drink contains Fruit, a Declaration about the content fruit juice on the beverage labels is a mandatory requirement. FSSAI license cannot be issued unless you comply with requirements laid down by the regulator.

FSSAI Standards: Microbiological Requirements

The product is also required to confirm the microbiological requirements given in the standards. Following are the requirements:-

(i) Total Soluble solids (m/m) should not be more than 10.0 percent;

(ii)Fruit content (m/m):

• Lime or Lemon juice not more than 5 %
• Other fruits not exceeding 10.0 percent

FSSAI Standards for Energy Drinks: Packaging & Labelling Requirements

If the plastic bottles made of polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) contain Blue tint especially for 5-litre pack bottle or above, must comply with the Indian standard i.e. IS 9833. Also, according to the IS:9845 the amount of pigment/color used must not exceed 60 mg/ litre.

 Before issuing FSSAI License, the FSSAI Dept will ensure that your food complies well with packaging guidelines issued by the department.

Caffeinated beverage makers / Energy Drink makers are required to make caution declaration on their labels of the products stating that they are not recommended for children below the specific age and for pregnant or lactating women.

The standards have prescribed the specific labelling requirements for such products. The manufacturers have to make a declaration of the per day quantity to be consumed. The per day quantity indicates the maximum amount of caffeinated beverages that can be consumed in one day.

Every energy drink sold in India will have to remove the “energy” tag on their product and instead have to use “caffeinated beverage”, for selling such a product.

All products containing aspartame, acesulfame and/or any other artificial sweetener for which special labelling provisions have been laid down under regulations 2.4.5 of FSSAI (Packaging and Labeling) Regulations, 2011, should not be packed, stored, distributed or sold in returnable containers.

Conclusion

FSSAI standards for energy drinks have been kept considering the increase in consumption amount. After all it is the matter of health of people therefore it is to be complied with. For more information on FSSAI license, consider contacting Enterslice.

Read our article: Implications of Non Compliance with the Provisions of FSSAI