Key Development

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has withdrawn its 2022 notification that permitted a high copper limit for hops pellets used in beer manufacturing.

Stricter Standards Apply

In its latest order, FSSAI directed all food businesses to follow the standard copper limit of 30 mg/kg for hops pellets, classifying them under the “foods not specified” category in the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins, and Residues) Regulations, 2011. This change represents a significant drop from the earlier permissible limit of 1,000 mg/kg (1,000 ppm) set in 2022.

Impact on Imports

The 2022 relaxation followed industry inputs that hop pellets are an ingredient in beer production and not consumed directly. Relying on European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) standards, FSSAI had then set the maximum copper content for dried hops — including pellets and un-concentrated powder — at 1,000 ppm. With this withdrawal, all imported hop pellets must now comply with the much stricter 30 mg/kg limit, ensuring they meet the same safety standards as other food ingredients under FSSAI’s regulations.

Source: Foodtech Network