Source: www.fssai.gov.in
Edible Fungus Products means products prepared from fresh edible fungi. The products may be dried edible fungi (including freeze-dried fungi, fungus grits, fungus powder), pickled fungi, salted fungi, fermented fungi, fungi in vegetable oils, quick frozen fungi, sterilized fungi, fungus extract, fungus concentrate and dried fungus concentrate. A truffle is the fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus, predominantly one of the many species of the genus Tuber.
The ‘Food Safety Standards of India’ (herein referred to as FSSAI or the Food Regulator of India) has framed standards of ‘Edible Fungi Products’ under sub-regulation 2.3.62 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
FSSAI lays down science-based standards for articles of food and regulates their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food to 130 crore citizens of the country also ensuring the availability of safe and wholesome food for all citizens of the country and promoting awareness about food safety and nutrition in India, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is one of a premier organization in India providing State-of-art solutions for food safety and standards, providing food licenses/registration certificates to Food Business Operators and ensuring hygienic and quality food.
The FSSAI had in the year 2015 observed the shortcomings of the specific list on edible truffle species and have been working closely since past one year on the list with the Scientific Panel on Fruits & Vegetables and other products that include dried fruits and nuts. Now, based on the recommendations of the Scientific Panel, the FSSAI has rolled out the list of edible truffle species for import which is as follows:-
- Tuber melanosporum Vittadini
- Tuber aestivum Chatin
- Tuber uncinstum Chatin
- Tuber mezsentericum Vittadani
- Tuber magnatum Pico
- Tuber macrosporum Vittadani
- Tuber gibbosum Gilkey
- Tuber borchii Vittadani
- Tuber brumale Vittadani
- Geoporacooperi
- Tuber indicum
The Notification came out on July 17, 2019 and has been issued with the prior approval of the Competent Authority.