______ is a mandatory mark found on all processed fruit products sold in India – such as packaged fruit beverages, fruit-jams, crushes and squashes, pickles, dehydrated fruit products, and fruit extracts – as per the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.

Question

Prepp Team · Accepted Answer

Understanding Mandatory Food Marks in India

The question asks about a specific mandatory mark required for processed fruit products sold in India under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. These products include items like packaged fruit beverages, jams, pickles, and squashes. Identifying the correct mark is crucial for understanding food safety regulations in the country.

Analyzing the Options for Processed Fruit Products

Let's examine the given options to determine which one is the mandatory mark for processed fruit products:

FPO: FPO stands for Fruit Products Order. This mark was initially introduced under the Fruit Products Order, 1955, and its regulations were later subsumed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The FPO mark is specifically meant to ensure that processed fruit products meet certain quality and hygiene standards.
BEE Star Rating: The BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) Star Rating is used for electrical appliances to indicate their energy efficiency. It is not related to food products.
HALLMARK: A Hallmark is a mark used to certify the purity of precious metals like gold and silver. It is used for jewellery and metal articles, not food products.
ISI: ISI stands for Indian Standards Institute, now known as the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The ISI mark is used for the standardization and quality certification of a wide range of industrial and consumer products. While BIS sets standards for some food-related items, the specific mandatory mark for processed fruit products is the FPO mark.

Identifying the Mandatory Mark

Based on the analysis, the FPO mark is the specific mark mandated for processed fruit products in India under the framework of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This mark assures consumers that the product has been manufactured under hygienic conditions and meets quality specifications.

Conclusion

The mandatory mark found on processed fruit products like jams, squashes, and pickles sold in India, as per the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, is the FPO mark.

Mark	Purpose	Applicable Products
FPO	Quality & Safety of Processed Fruit Products	Fruit Jams, Juices, Squashes, Pickles, etc.
BEE Star Rating	Energy Efficiency	Appliances (Refrigerators, ACs, etc.)
HALLMARK	Purity of Precious Metals	Gold, Silver Jewellery
ISI	Standardization & Quality Certification	Industrial, Electrical, various Consumer Goods

Revision Table: Mandatory Marks in India

Mark	Governing Body/Act	Use Case
FPO	Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (originally Fruit Products Order, 1955)	Mandatory for Processed Fruit Products
Agmark	Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, Govt. of India (under Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937)	Certification mark for agricultural products
ISI/BIS Mark	Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)	Standardization for various industrial, electrical, and some consumer goods
Ecolabel (Ecomark)	BIS	Certification mark for environment-friendly products

Additional Information on India's Food Safety Regulations

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, consolidated various acts and orders related to food safety and standards in India, including the Fruit Products Order, 1955. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the statutory body established under this act. FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety. The FPO mark, although originating from a previous order, continues to be a vital mandatory certification under the FSSAI framework for processed fruit and vegetable products, ensuring they meet the prescribed safety and quality requirements before being sold in the market.