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Background
Objectives of the scheme
Role of Government
Bases of Schemes
Product Coverage
Assesment Criteria
The Mark
How does the Scheme Work

 

 

INDIAN SCENARIO

PRODUCT COVERAGE

FINAL CRITERIA FOR PRODUCTS AS ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY

ECOMARK CRITERIA FOR FOOD ADDITIVES

(The Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II-Section 3(i), No. 170, May 18, 1996) 

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

1.1. All the food additives mentioned below shall meet the relevant standards of BIS.

1.

Acetic Acid Glacial 

2.

Vinegar

3.

Sodium benzoate

4.

Citric acid 

5.

Sodium metabisulphite 

6.

Potassium metabisulphite

7.

Sodium bicarbonate & Sodium Carbonate

8.

Natural Colourants : Caramel

9.

Baking Powder. 

1.2 The product manufacturer must produce the consent clearance, as per the provisions of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act 1977 and Air (Pollution and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 along with the authorisation if required under Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and rules made thereunder to Bureau of Indian Standards while applying for the ECOMARK and the product shall also be in accordance with the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954 and the rules made thereunder.

1.3 The product packaging may display in brief the criteria based on which the product has been labelled Environment Friendly. 

1.4 The material used for product packaging shall be recyclable or biodegradable. 

1.5 The date of manufacture and date of expiry shall be declared on the product package by the manufacturer.  

1.6 The product package or leaflet accompanying it may display instructions of proper use and storage so as to maximise the product performance, safety and minimise wastage.

2. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS :

2.1

Acetic Acid, Glacial : It shall conform with the following standards:

  1. Assay : Not less than 99.5 percent, by weight, of C2H4O2.
  2. Arsenic : Not more than 1.5 ppm
  3. Heavy Metals (as Pb) : Not more than 10 ppm
  4. Non-volatile Residue : Not more than 0.005 percent.
2.2

Vinegar : Vinegar shall conform with the following standards :

  1. It shall contain at least 3.75 grammes of acetic acid per 100 ml.
  2. It shall contain at least 1.5 percent w/v of total solids 0.18 percent of ash.
  3. It shall not contain (i) any mineral acid (ii) lead and copper (iii) arsenic in amounts exceeding 1.5 parts per million, and (iv) any foreign substances of colouring matter except caramel.
  4. Malt vinegar, in addition, shall have atleast 0.05 percent of phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) and 0.04 percent of nitrogen.

Note: Brewed vinegar shall not be fortified with acetic acid.
2.3

Sodium Benzoate : It shall conform with the following standards :
  1. Assay : Not less than 99.5 percent of C2H5NaO2 calculated on the dry basis.
  2. Arsenic : Not more than 1.5 ppm
  3. Heavy Metals (as Pb) : Not more than 10 ppm.
  4. Moisture : Not more than 1.5 percent.
2.4

Citric Acid : It shall conform with the following standards :
  1. Assay : Minimum 99.5 percent by weight of Citric Acid.
  2. Water Insoluble matter : Not more than 30 ppm.
  3. Sulphated ash : Not more than 100 ppm.
  4. Chloride (as Cl) : Not more than 5 ppm.
  5. Phosphate (as P2O5) : Not more than 5 ppm.
  6. Calcium : Not more than 25 ppm.
  7. Heavy metals (as Pb) : Not more than 10 ppm.
  8. Tridodecyclamine : Not more than 0.1 ppm.
2.5

Sodium Metabisulphite : It shall conform with the following standards :  

  1. Assay : Not less than 95.0 percent by weight of Na2S2O5.
  2. Arsenic : Not more than 1.5 ppm.
  3. Heavy Metals (as Pb) : Not more than 10 ppm.
  4. Iron : Not more than 5 ppm.
  5. Selenium : Not more than 10 ppm.
2.6

Potassium Metabisulphite : It shall conform with the following standards :
  1. Assay : Not less than 95.0 percent by weight of K2S2O5
  2. Arsenic : Not more than 1.5 ppm
  3. Heavy Metals (as Pb) : Not more than 10 ppm.
  4. Iron : Not more than 5 ppm.
  5. Selenium : Not more than 10 ppm.
2.7

Sodium Bicarbonate : It shall conform with the following standards 
  1. Assay : Not less than 99 percent by weight NaHCO3
  2. Ammonium Compound as NH 4 : Nil
  3. Arsenic : Not more than 1.5 ppm.
  4. Heavy Metals (as Pb) : Not more than 10 ppm.
2.8 Natural Colorants : Caramel
  2.8.1. The product shall comply with the relevant Indian Standards and with the General Requirements prescribed under Clause - 1 for consideration of Ecomark.
  2.8.2. Caramel Colours : These shall conform to IS 4467:1994 with the following additional standards :
    2.8.2 (A)

Caramel Colour (Plain & Caustic Sulphate) :

(i) Sulphur dioxide : 0.1 percent
(ii) 4-Mehtylimidazole : Not detectable using TLC method sensitive to 25 ppm + 20 percent.

    2.8.2 (B)

Caramel Colour (Ammonia & Ammonia Sulphite)

(i) Sulphur dioxide : 0.1 percent.
(ii) 4-Methylimidazole : 200 percent.

2.9

Baking Powder :

The product shall comply with the relevant Indian Standards and with the General Requirements prescribed under Clause - 1 for consideration of Ecomark.

 Note: The limit of Heavy Metals (as Pb) given in clauses 2.1(c), 2.3(c), 2.4(g), 2.5(c), 2.6(c) and 2.7(d) includes nine metals namely : Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Sb and Sn when tested as per method given in Food Chemical Codex : 1981, III Edition, Method No. II on page No. 512-513. 

The incorporation of the Ecomark requirements, in the following BIS standards, are under process :

1.

IS 695:1980

Acetic acid

2.

IS 1159:1981

Baking powder

3.

IS 2124:1974

Sodium bicarbonate

4.

IS 4447:1965

Sodium benzoate

5.

IS 4751:1994

Potassium metabisulphite (food grade)

6.

IS 4752:1994

Sodium metabisulphite (food grade)

7.

IS 5404:1984

Citric acid

8.

Standard Under
Preparation

Vinegar

 
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