Draft Issued by FSSAI: Standards for Mead, Craft Beer, Indian Liquor, and Country Liquor
FSSAI Releases Draft on Standards for Mead, Craft Beer, Indian Liquor, and Country Liquor
New Delhi, Wednesday, 24 May 2023, 08:00 AM [IST]
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently issued a draft notification for the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Amendment Regulations, 2023. This draft focuses on establishing standards for mead (honey wine), craft beer, Indian liquors, and provides definitions for low alcoholic beverages/RTD (Ready-to-drink), wine-based beverages, and country liquors.
One significant aspect of these regulations is the definition of “Ready-to-drink/Low alcoholic beverages.” According to the FSSAI, these beverages should have an alcohol content ranging from 0.5% to 8.0% ABV (Alcohol By Volume).
The draft specifies that these beverages can be made using a base of spirits or any alcoholic beverage other than wine and beer. Additionally, natural, nature-identical, or artificial flavors and/or food additives permitted under the FSS (FPS&FA) Regulations 2011 can be added. Furthermore, the beverages can contain fruit/vegetable juice with or without added sugar/salt, and with or without carbonation. In the case of carbonated RTD/low alcoholic beverages, carbon dioxide must be used for carbonation. However, these carbonated beverages must have a minimum volume of one part carbon dioxide.
The draft emphasizes that the beverages must adhere to the requirements prescribed under these regulations.
The FSSAI has invited stakeholders to provide their feedback and comments on the draft to the food authority.
