New Delhi – The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released an important amendment reducing the minimum sample size of imported Vitamin D2 from 500 grams to only 50 grams. The amendment will be effective from December 19, 2024, to address the cost concerns associated with Vitamin D2, a high-value ingredient, and facilitate efficient testing and trade.

Key HighlightsRegulatory Revision:

• Earlier, Vitamin D2 was classified as "food not specified" under the Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Regulations, 2011, and a sample of 500 grams was required for testing.

• After receiving complaints from the stakeholders that the cost is too high, FSSAI reduced the sample size to 50 grams.

New Sampling Procedure:

• Two 25-gram representative samples shall be drawn by the authorized officers from the imported consignment of Vitamin D2.

• Regulation 9(9) of the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulation, 2017, shall continue to apply. After a product is declared safe, the second 25-gram sample will be returned to the importer.

Benefits for Stakeholders:

• The new guidelines will significantly reduce the financial burden on importers.

• By reducing the amount of Vitamin D2 used in testing, wastage of the precious ingredient is avoided.

• This change is going to improve the ease of doing business in the Vitamin D2 trade, which will enable smoother importation.

Industry Impact:

• The move will benefit importers and consumers alike, reducing costs while ensuring the availability of Vitamin D2 products in the market.

• Vitamin D2 is a crucial ingredient in the fortification of food and nutrition supplements, and this regulation supports larger health and nutrition initiatives.

This regulatory update underscores FSSAI’s commitment to balancing rigorous safety standards with practical considerations for stakeholders in the food and health industry.