The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced an extension for Food Business Operators (FBOs) to deplete their existing stock of packaging labeled as "100% fruit juice." Initially, the deadline was set for July 2024, but it has now been extended to allow more time for businesses to comply with new packaging regulations. This extension comes as a relief to many FBOs who were concerned about meeting the initial deadline, ensuring a smoother transition to the updated packaging standards.

The decision to extend the deadline follows feedback from industry stakeholders who indicated that the initial timeline was too tight, especially for smaller businesses. The FSSAI's move aims to prevent potential wastage of existing packaging materials and to provide companies with sufficient time to align with the new regulatory requirements.

These new regulations are part of a broader effort by the FSSAI to ensure that food labeling is accurate and not misleading to consumers. The revised packaging rules are expected to enhance transparency and provide clearer information regarding the contents and nutritional value of fruit juice products.

For consumers, this extension means that they may continue to see "100% fruit juice" labeling on certain products for a longer period. However, once the existing stock is depleted, the new packaging regulations will fully come into effect, bringing more stringent labeling standards across the industry.

The FSSAI has urged all FBOs to take advantage of this extended deadline to update their packaging processes and ensure full compliance with the new rules. Failure to do so could result in penalties or other regulatory actions once the final deadline passes.