Parameter Tested
Total Soluble Solids (TSS)
As there is no approved method to determine the fruit content in fruit juice/drink in the laboratory, we tested the TSS percentage of the mango drink samples. TSS is the measure of sugar content of juice/ drink, both natural and added. TSS is considered as higher the better, subject to it being low in added sugar and restricted quantity of other thickening agents.
As per Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, the total soluble solids (mass/mass) in mango drink should not be less than 10 per cent.
Total titrable acidity (as citric acid, grams/100
Total titrable acidity is the total amount of acid in the juice/drink. Acidity improves the taste and increases the shelf life of the product but excessive acidity may also spoil the taste of the juice/drink. Acidity in the drink should be optimum with respect to total soluble solids. There is no specification for acidity in the FSS Regulations.
Flat Sour Organisms (Bacteria)
Food spoiled by flat sour organisms will produce a sour smell and taste. As per Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, the flat sour organisms should not be more than 10,000 colony-forming units (cfu)/gram for products that have pH less than 5.2 (pH indicates the strength of the acid condition).
For General Qualities
Packaging
The material shall be processed and packed under good hygienic conditions. It shall be securely packed in clean, sound and dry containers (Tetra Pak/plastic bottle/tin can). It may be noted that Class II preservatives are not required in fruit drinks/juices when packed in Tetra Pak or tin can due to their processing technology. Such preservatives are required when packed in plastic bottles.
Marking
The following information shall be clearly and indelibly marked on the label of each container/ packet:
- Name of the product
- Trade name, if any
- Name and address of manufacturer
- Batch or code number
- Net quantity in ml
- Month and year of manufacture
- The words ‘Best before’ (month and year to be indicated)
- Nutritional information
- Logo indicating ‘vegetarian’ or ‘non-vegetarian’ status
- Storage information
- Customer-care details
- All brands had labelling as required by FSS Regulations.