Food standards

Food Standards

Dr. Mrs. Vandana Mahajani

What is food adulteration?

The addition of non permitted foreign

matter to food or the removal of certain

ingredients from food is called food

adulteration


Types of food adulteration

Intentional food adulteration

It is a purposeful act done by adulterator who intends to earn huge profits. Eg. Use of excess water, colour etc.

Incidental adulteration

Happens due to lack of knowledge, carelessness, or lack of facilities. Eg pesticides, germ infestation etc.


What is food quality?

It is defined as that which makes a thing

what it is, its nature, kind, property, status,

grade of goodness and excellence


What are food standards?

Food standards are something that are set

up by experts or an authority for measuring

quantity, weight, extent, value and quality

of a substance


International food standards

Codex Alimentarius commission is the

principle organisation of the worldwide food

standards programm set by FAO and WHO.

Food and Agriculture Organisation.

World health Organisation


Purpose of Codex Alimentarius

To present internationally accepted food standards in a uniform manner

To protect consumers health

To educate consumers

To assist harmonisation

To make international trade easy.


Scope of Codex Alimentarius

It includes standards for all categories of foods, processed, semi processed or raw for distribution to the consumer

It also covers factors like materials used in food processing, food hygiene, food additives, pesticide residues, labelling and presentation methods of analysis and sampling


Food standards in India

They are formulated along the lines of codex alimentarius.

1. Compulsory standards

2. Voluntary standards


Compulsory standards

The prevention of food adulteration act(PFA) 1955

Essential commodities act 1954. Various orders fall under this :

Fruit Products Order (FPO) regulated by Ministry of food processing Industries

Meat Products Order (MPO) 1973 regulated by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection


Milk and Milk Products Order 1992: cover the sale , purchase and distribution of milk and milk products

Solvent extracted oils, flour control order, vegetable products order 1976. the license is granted by the Ministry of Civil Supplies Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution . It controls the market price of Vanaspati.(dalda)

Standard on weights and measures 1977. it is compulsory to declare the weight of the packaged commodity.


Voluntary standards

AGMARK. Agriculture produce grading and marketing act 1937.

The Director of Marketing and Inspection grades commodities as 1234 meaning special, good ,fair and ordinary. The “Agmark” label is an assurance of quality. It also helps settle disputes between buyers and sellers.


Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS). Indian Standards Institute (ISI) is responsible for laying BIS.

These standards are evolved after chemical, biological and physical assessment of the product to be marketed.


MisbrandingFood is misbranded if

1 Label is false or misleading

2 Food is sold under another name

3 limitations are not clearly indicated

4 Size of the container is misleading

5 Statement of weights and measures is wrong

6 Packaging details are not given

7 Fails to list nutrient information

8 It fails to list artificial flavouring, colouring and preservatives


Precautions and measures

Buy only from authorized shops

Avoid eating on road side shops

Processed foods must have a quality mark

Check manufacturing and expiry date

Ask for bill and details

Keep detergents and drugs in separate cupboards
