The New Indian Express

Drinking goat milk? Check out its new safety and quality indicators FSSAI said the amended regulations came into effect from November 29 and Food Business Operator shall comply with all regulations by July 1, 2020.

Gil f Published: 12th December 2019 06:37 AM Last Updated: 12th December 201902:08 PM I A+ A A-

Image used for representational purpose only

By B Anbuselvan

Express News Service

~CHENNAI: With many private companies~ntering the commercial market for sale _

of sheep or goat's milk, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has

amended the Food Safety and Standards regulations prescribing safety and quality

indicators for the milk. The fat level of standard goat's milk should be three per

cent and Solid Not Fat level should not exceed eight per cent, said a recent gazette

notification of Health Ministry.

So far, quality standards are followed only for cow and buffalo milk sold in the

commercial market and there are no standard parameters available for sheep or

goat's milk, said FSSAI sources. "There is a misconception among a section of

people that raw sheep milk yvill heal various diseases and also boost health. The

higher fat levels of sheep milk may cause diarrhoea and many other diseases to

children and the elderly. Now, the Centre has notified that sheep milk is safe for

consumption only when the fat level is reduced to three percent," said a senior

official from Food Safety department.

Quality indicators of Milk (As per amendments by FSSAI) Milk Variety % of fat % of SNF (solids not fat) Sodium (in mg per 100

gm SNF)

Sheep or Goat Standard milk 3 8 650

Cow/Buffalo Tonned Milk 3 8.5 650 Standardised 4.5 8.5 650 Full Cream milk 6 9 650

The move will expand the scope of sheep milk in the commercial market thereby

helping rural economy to improve, the official said.

The amended provisions of Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards

and Food Additives) Regulations has also mandated that sodium levels in sheep

milk should not exceed 650 mg per 100 gm SNF - which is the same level followed

for cow and buffalo milk.

FSSAI said the amended regulations came into effect from November 29 and Food

Business Operator shall comply with all regulations by July 1, 2020.

Interestingly, the Union government exempted high sodium levels in milk powders

that contain additives. FSSAI provisions said the benchmark is not applicable to

milk powders that have sodium-containing

additives added.