A. 4 - Under NPOP system: A single ingredient product where all requirements have been met as per the specified standards can be labelled as 'Organic'. In the case of multi-ingredient products where min. 95% of ingredients are of certified origin, and can be labelled as ‘Certified Organic’.

Under the PGS-India system:: A single ingredient product where all requirements have been met may be labelled as ‘PGS- Organic’. In the case of multi-ingredient product where min. 95% of ingredients are organic, it may be labelled as ‘PGS- Organic’.

A. 5 - The FSSAI’s Organic Logo is ‘Jaivik Bharat’ Logo.

A. 6 - The consumer shall look for Food Safety and Standard Authority of India’s organic logo (Jaivik Bharat) and FSSAI Logo License number.

In addition, the label may carry India Organic Logo (NPOP certified) or PGS-India Organic Logo (PGS-India certified) under whichever system it is certified.

A. 7 - For residues of insecticides in organic food, limits shall be 5% of the maximum limits prescribed or Level of Quantification (LoQ) whichever is higher as for foods specified under Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011.

A. 8 - The organic food shall comply to the maximum limits of contaminants (Metal contaminants, Naturally Occurring Toxic substances, Aflatoxins etc.) as specified for foods under Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011.

A. 9 - For Microbiological parameters, the Organic Foods should comply with parameters and limits specified in Appendix B of FSS (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.

A. 10 - Besides Food Safety parameters, the organic foods should comply with the requirements of various quality parameters prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.

A. 11 - The Accredited Certification Bodies in case of NPOP and Local Group in case of PGS-India are responsible for certifying the Organic Food.

A. 12 - Organic Food is not required to be re-certified on import to India if there is bilateral or multilateral agreement based on the equivalence of standards as per National Programme for Organic Production. All organic food consignments to be accompanied by a Transaction Certificate issued by an Accredited Certification Body.

A. 13 - The FBO who is already Registered/Licensed under FSSAI, is not required to take a separate licence under FSSAI. The FBO shall get his existing Registration/License endorsed for organic foods. The endorsement can be done online through Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS). It can be accessed via link which is https://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in/index.aspx

A. 14 - Certification under NPOP/PGS-India is a pre requisite for handling organic food and is a requirement for taking Registration or License under FSSR.

A. 15 - No, foods which are ‘In-conversion’ to organic are not covered under FSS (Organic Foods) Regulations, 2017.

A. 16 - No, organic foods which are ‘In-conversion’ cannot use Jaivik Bharat Logo.

A. 17 - No, such foods are treated as non organic foods.

A. 18 - There is a provision in the Regulations that all the organic products needs to be displayed distinguishable from conventional foods at the shelves. The seller of organic food either exclusively or as part of his retail merchandise shall display such food in a manner distinguishable from the display of non-organic food.

A. 19 - The imports of Organic Food from countries, with which bilateral equivalence agreements are there, are not required to be re-certified.

A. 20 - The Offences and Penalties for the Food Business Operators who are not complying with the FSS Act, Rules and Regulations are liable for offences and penalties provided under Section 48 and 49 of the FSS Act.

A. 21 - The powers of the Food Safety Officer (FSO) are mentioned under Section 38 of the FSS Act, 2006.

A. 22 - The responsibilities of a FBO are covered under Section 26 of FSS Act, 2006

A. 23 - Purchaser will pay the cost of the same and analysis. If the report of the Food Analyst shows that the article of food is not in compliance with the Act or the rules or regulations made there under, the purchaser shall be entitled to get refund of the fees paid by him.

A. 24 - The Sampling protocols for organic foods shall be same as for non organic foods under FSSR. It shall be as per Section 47 of the FSS Act, 2006 that covers Sampling and Analysis Procedure.

A. 25 - No, non-food items are not covered under the mandate of FSS Act, 2006.

A. 26 - Traceability is to be maintained as required in NPOP or PGS-India through whichever system it is certified.