FSSAI- Food companies not allowed to claim ‘100% fruit juice

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stated that such claims are misleading, especially when the main ingredient in the juice is water and the actual fruit component is present in limited amounts, or when the juice is reconstituted using water and fruit concentrates or pulp.

All food firms have been directed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to immediately remove any claim of “100% fruit juices” from the labels and advertisements of reconstituted fruit juices.

This decision aims to prevent misleading claims, particularly in situations where the primary ingredient is water, and the actual fruit juice component is present in limited concentrations. Reconstituted fruit juices, which are made by adding water to fruit concentrates or pulp, should not be labeled as ‘100% fruit juice’.

In its statement FSSAI said “It has come to the attention of FSSAI that several FBOs have been inaccurately marketing various types of reconstituted fruit juices by claiming them to be 100% fruit juices.”  It further added, “Upon thorough examination, FSSAI has concluded that, according to the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, there is no provision for making a ‘100%’ claim.”

The FSSAI has also instructed companies to use up all existing pre-printed packaging materials by September 1, 2024. 

According to India’s food laws, it is mandatory for companies to indicate the word “reconstituted” in the ingredient list for any juice that is reconstituted from concentrate. Furthermore, if the added nutritive sweeteners in the product exceed 15 gm/kg, the product must be labeled as ‘sweetened juice’.