The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on November 21, 2023, issued a notification regarding Monitoring the sale of fresh fruit & vegetables, for the presence of pesticides residues, non-permitted wax coating, non-permitted artificial ripener, and artificial colours, in the market.
This has a reference to the directions/letters issued regarding the 'Request for action against unauthorized use of artificial fruit ripening agents' RCD-15001/6/2021- Regulatory-FSSAI-Part 2 (E-1788), dated April 03, 2023, and 'Monitoring the sale of fresh Fruits and Vegetables in the Markets — Reg.' vide no. RCD-02005/1/2023-Regulatory¬FSSAI, dated July 24, 2023.
The following has been stated:
• It states that in order to curb the menace of excess use of pesticides, non-permitted wax coating, non-permitted artificial ripener, and artificial colours, It is requested to keep strict vigil in your State/UT on FBOs who are engaged in manufacturing / re-packing fresh / surface treated / minimally processed Fruits and vegetables.
• It states that surveillance/enforcement activities may be undertaken from time to time in a planned manner to ensure that the Fruit and vegetables being sold comply with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, or of any Rules or Regulations made thereunder.
• It states that awareness-building measures through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities under Eat Right India Initiatives may be conducted from time to time to educate the FBOs.
[Notification No RCD-15001/9/2023-Regulatory-FSSAI-Part (1)]
