Health Ministry increases quantity of food samples for analysis

The Union Government has decided to increase the quantity of samples of food articles such as sterilised milk, UHT milk, yoghurt, sweetened dahi, vanaspati, edible oil, ghee, margarine, cream and others for analysis.

A draft notification (GSR44E) has been issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MHFW) to increase the quantity of samples of sterilised milk and UHT milk from 250 ml to 500 ml for analysis. Also, the quantity of samples for analysis of yoghurt and sweetened dahi have been increased from 300 gm to 500 gm and the quantity of samples of vanaspati, edible oil, margarine and cream have been increased from 250 gm to 400 gm.

Similarly, the quantity of samples of food articles like carbonated water, spices, condiments, mixed masala (whole and powder), nutmeg, mace, fruit juice, fruit drinks, fruit squash and proprietary foods have been increased from their earlier specifications for analysis.

Earlier, the quality of samples of carbonated water, and spices, condiments, mixed masala were specified 600 ml and 200 gm, respectively, for analysis. But the quantity of these food articles have been increased to 3 ltr and 500 gm, respectively.

The quantity of samples of fruit juice, fruit drinks and fruit squash have been increased from 400 ml to 1 ltr and the quantity of food grains and pulses (whole and split) have been increased from 1 gm to 2 gm. The quantities of samples of proprietary foods and food not specified have been increased from 300 gm to 500 gm for analysis.

The Ministry has invited suggestions from the public and industry associations, as well.