Hello bhardwajSneha,
Gulab jamun is the traditional indian sweet and not classifed as potentially hazardous food but it is perishable product like milk and presently there is no FSSAI standard.However it should be prepared from KHOYA which has FSSAI standard .It is dipped in 60 degrre brix sugar syrup hence will not support microbiological growth.
However Gulab jamun packed in boxes should be consumed in 2-3 days .Tinned products have a shelf life of 9 months ,however once opened to be consumed in 2-3 days .
Gulab jamun should not be refrigerated as sugar syrup will form sugar crytals.should be stored at 20-25 degree centigrade and consumed in 2-3 days.
Q: Whether sweets made of khoya/dryfruits like rassogulla/kajukatri is proprietary food as there is no specific standards of sweets under FSSAI. Also clarify about namkeens like kurkure/ bhujia/allo bhujia/sev and traditional Indian snacks available in namkeen shops?
Ans: Khoya and dry fruits have standards under FSSAI. However, Currently there is no standard for many foods and these products are considered proprietary foods, which includes namkeens and many traditional indian snacks. FSSAI has exempted these products from getting approval of proprietary foods.
Q : While giving the sample of proprietary food (sweets & Indian snacks/savouriesor other item not standardised in the act) to food safety officer is it necessary by food business operator to mention all the ingredients used in the preparation of that particular item or are there any guidelines to be followed by food safety officer to draw sample of proprietary food?
Ans: As per the Food regulations, on all pre-packaged products, it is mandatory to provide all the ingredients in the product in the descending order of weight or volume. Also, it is mandatory to provide the category/standard to which the food belongs to. Basis the category or standard (or proprietary food) and the ingredients, the food safety officer will judge the compliance of the product. E.g. if a colour is used, whether or not it is allowed in that particular category etc. In case of products, which are not pre-packed the food manufacture need to provide its ingredients if a food safety officer takes a sample for testing, without, which he cannot judge the compliance of the product. There are no special guidelines as of now for proprietary foods to be followed by the food safety officers to draw samples.
Attached spec of canned gulab jamun-
Edited by SUSHIL, 02 May 2014 - 02:41 PM.