Frequently Asked Questions (FAO's) on Organic Foods QA Whatare Organic Foods? ‘AA Organic foods are products of holistic agricultural practices focusing on bio diversity sol heath, chemical free inputs ete with an environmentally and soctally responsible appreach and are produced in accordance with organic prodiction standards Q.2 Which legislation regulates Organic Food in India? A.2 Food Safety and Sandards Authority of india (FSSA) has the mandate to regulate ‘manufacture, distibute, sell or Import “organic foods" as per the provislons laid under Section 22 of the Food Safety Standards Act, 2006. Organic foods are regulated by Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations, 2017 notified lunder the provisions ofthe Act. Q.3 Which system of certification is prerequisite for all organte foods as per the provisions in the Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations, 20177 |A.3 The Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations, 2017 recognize already established two systems of certification Le, Participatory Guarantee System (PGS - India) implemented by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare and National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) implemented by Ministry of ‘Commerce and Industry. All organic foods should be certified by any one of the systems, Q-4 Whoisexempted from Certification? A.A Organic food which is marketed through direct sales tothe end consumer by the small original producer or producer organisation is exempted from certification ‘Small original producer o producer organisation the one whose anna turnover snot exceeding Rs 12 Laks per annum, Q5._ Whatare the residual limits of nsecticides in Organic Foods? ALS For residues of insecticides inorganic food, limits are 5% ofthe maximum tints prescribed or Level of Quantification (LoQ) whichever Is higher for various foods specified under Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011, @.6 Whatare the lms for other Contaminants in Organic Foods? A.6 The organle food should comply to the maximum limits of contaminants (Metal contaminants, Naturally Occurring Toxle substances, flatoxins tc.) as specified for various foods under Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011. 1[Page7 Organte foods should comply with which Microbiological parameters and ‘heir limits? A.7 For Microbiological paramotes, organic foods should comply with parameters and limits specified ir Appendix B of Food Safety and Standards (Food Product ‘Standards and Fool Additives) Regulations, 2011, Q8 Organic foods should comply with which other standards besides food safety parameters? A.B Besides Food Sa‘aty parameters, organic foods should comply with the requirements of various quality parameters preserbed under the Food Safety and Standarss (Pood Product Stands and Food Adltives) Regulations. 2031, 9. Which adaltives er processing aids are permitted in Organic Food ? A. 9 Only additives or processing alds permitid in National Standards for Organic Production or PGS India are permitted in organic fod. @.10 Whos responsibie for certifying Organic Food? {A.10. ‘The Accredited Certification Bodies in case of NPOP and Local Groups incase of PGS- Inia are responsible for certifying the organi fod. Q.11 What is required to be done by an existing FBO dealing with organle food ithe Is already registered or licensed under FSSAI? A.11 The Food Business Operator (FEO) who Is already Registered/Licensed under FSSA snot required to take a separate lice under FSSAL. The FBO should get hs esting Rgistraticn/Liconse endorsed for organ foods. The endorsement can be done online throvsh Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS). tt can be accessed via link which is htps://fondlicensingfssaigovin/indexasps Q12 What a FBO is required todo ifhe wants to start new organic food business? ‘A.12 certification under NPOP/PGS-Indla Isa pre requisite for organic food and is a requirement for taidng Regstration or License under FSSR. Q.15 Are foods which are‘In-Conversion’to organic covered! under the FSS (Organic Foods) Regulations, 2017? [A.13- No, foods which ae “In-conversin’ to organle are not covered under FSS (Organic Foods) Regulations 2017, Q 14 can ‘Conversion’ to organic food use Jaivk Bharat Logo? [A-14 No, organle foods which ae"In-conversion’ cannot use fivk Bharat Logo 0.15 Do ‘In-Conversion’ to organic foods need to take Registration/License under 2iPageAas a6 A16 Qa7 aay que ane a9 Ang s1Pa SSR or OrgantcFood? No. Such foods are treated as non organic foods. How is traceability maintained in Organte Food System? ‘Traceability to ensure intagrity of organ foods s maintained as required in NPOP ‘or PGS-India through whichever system Its certified, Hoth the systems have well defined traceability systems, ‘Which food products can be labelled as Organic’? ‘Under NPOP system: Incase of single ingredient product where al requirements have been met as per the specified standards canbe labelled as‘Organie. Incase of mult ngrediont product where minimum 95% of ingredients are of certified origin, canbe labelled as ‘Certified Organic Under PGS-ndla system: Incase of single ingredient product where al requirements have been met, may be labelled as ‘PCS- Organic Incase of mult ingrelent product where minimum 959 of ngredients ate organic, may be labelled as'PGS- Organic. Which logo FSS (Organic Foods) Regulations, 2017 refers toas FSSAV's Organic Logo? ‘The PSSAs Organic Logo is 'avik Bharat’ Logo. ‘Which logos should a consumer lookon the label of Organic Food? ‘The consumer shoud look or Food Safety and Standard Authority of India's organic Jogo (Jai Bharat) and FSSA Logo and License number Jaivik Bharat In addition, the latel may cary India Organic Logo (NPOP certified) or PGS-India Organic Logo (PGS India certified) under whichever system itis crtfed. te¥) & Q.20 Whatare the labeling requirements applicable for Organic products? {A.20 Labelling on the package of the organic food shall convey full and accurate information on the organic status of the product. Al organic fod shall comply with the packaging and labeling requirements specified under Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 and Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulation, 2018 in addition to the labeling requirements under one of the applicable systems i.e, NPOP or PGS-India Q.21 Isthere any provision for seller of organicfood for keeping their organic foods distinguishable from the conventional food products in their shops? ‘A.24. There is a provision in the Regulations that all the organle products need to be displayed distingushable from conventional foods atthe shelves, The seller of ‘organic food etherexchusively ras part of his retail merchandise shal dsplay such four in a manner distinguishable fom tho display of non-organic fod. 0.22. Does cotton comeunder the purview ofthis regulation? |A.22 No,non-food itemsare not covered under the mandate of FSS Act, 2006. 0.23 Whatare the requirements for imported organie products? 8.23. Organic products ste not required to be re-ertified on Import to india if there is bilateral oF multilateral agreement between India and exporting country based on ‘equivalence of standards as per National Programme for Organic Production. All forganle food consignments are required to be accompanied by a Transaction Certificate issued by an Accredited Certification Body. Q.24 What are the provisions for punitive ation for FBO not complying with the Regulations? ‘A.24 The Offences and Penalties forthe Food Business Operators who donot comply with the requirements of PSS Act, Rules and Regulations are provided in Section 48 and 49 ofthe FSS Act. Alpage