Ice-cream, flavoured milk under FSSAI lens

Food safety watchdog FSSAI is planning to set new quality standards for ice-cream and flavoured milk besides tightening the existing safety norms for milk and other dairy products. The proposal comes after ban on import of Chinese milk and milk products last month due to presence of melamine for one year till June, 2016, following a recommendation from FSSAI. At present, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has norms for milk, paneer, ghee and butter, among others.

In the latest proposal, the regulator is working on setting more specific and stringent standards for fat content in milk. "... there is need to further broaden the quality standards for milk and its products.

We are working on that and it is likely that in next one month, will come up with draft of these standards," a source said. The source further said that the authority is working on comprehensive norms for milk and milk products which will now also include ice-cream and flavoured milk, among others. At present, FSSAI has ceiling on presence of insecticides and metal contaminants in milk and milk products.

Last month, the regulator had imposed limits for melamine in domestic milk products. Melamine is used in plastic and fertiliser industry. The regulator has stepped surveillance on processed food items after the Maggi controversy.

It is reviewing safety standards and holding several consultations with stakeholders to strengthen it.