The Government of India promulgated a Fruit Products Order in 1946.
In 1955, the order was revised. This order is operated by Food and Nutrition Board on the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
The fruit products Order (FPO) lays down statutory minimum standards in respect of the quality of various fruits and vegetable products and processing facilities at manufacture, storage and sale. The agricultural Marketing Advisor is authorised by law to issue a license for manufacturing fruits and vegetable products, after due inspection of the factory for hygiene, sanitation and quality of formulations. Packaging fruits and vegetables of a standard below the minimum prescribed standards is an offence punishable by law.
Fruit Products Order – 1955, promulgated under section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, aims at regulating sanitary and hygienic conditions in manufacture of fruit & vegetable products. Licensing under this Order lays down the minimum requirements for:
Sanitary and hygienic conditions of premises, surroundings and personnel.
Water to be used for processing.
Machinery and equipments
Product standards.
Maximum limits of preservatives, additives and contaminants have also been specified for various products.
This order is implemented by Ministry of Food Processing Industries through the Directorate of Fruit & Vegetable Preservation at New Delhi. The Directorate has four regional offices located at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, as well as sub-offices at Lucknow and Guwahati. The officials of the Directorate undertake frequent inspections of the manufacturing units and draw random samples of products from the manufacturers and markets which are analysed in the laboratories to test their conformity with the specifications laid under FPO.
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