The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has extended the implementation of the regulations governing the limit of minerals in packaged drinking water and commercial feeds for animals.

The apex regulator in two separate orders, has stated that both these regulations were deferred until July 1, 2021 due to Covid pandemic.

Under the FSS-Food Product Standards and Food Additive- Fourth Amendment Regulations 2019, the FSSAI had prescribed limits for calcium and magnesium in packaged drinking water, wherein for calcium limit was set at 20-75 mg/litre and for magnesium it was of 10-30 mg/litre.

The timeline for compliance of this regulation was July 1, 2020 and subsequently extended till January 1, 2021.

FSSAI in a statement has said that it has received several representations from the stakeholders requesting for further extension of the time for compliance.

“After due consideration of the representation, it has been decided to further extend the timeline for compliance related to the limits of calcium and magnesium for the standards of packaged drinking water (other than mineral water) up to July 1, 2021,” says FSSAI’s order.

Similarly, FSSAI has issued an order for extension of timeline for compliance with the direction dated January 27, 2020 issued regarding compliance of commercial feeds/feed materials intended for meat and milk producing animals with relevant BIS standards.

The said regulations were to come into force by July 27, 2020 but the implementation was extended until 1st Jan 2021 due to Covid pandemic.

Subsequently, upon considering the representation from the stakeholders, FSSAI has further extended the implementation until July 1, 2021, and issued an order in this regard