(a) whether the Government has recently asked all soft drink makers in the country to mix fruit juice in aerated drinks to help farmers find a new market for their produce;
(b) if so, whether the soft drink makers have started mixing fruit juice in their products;
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps proposed/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure that the said directions are observed by soft drink makers?
(a) to (d): On 25th October, 2016, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have notified Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulation, 2016 for introducing a new category of beverage called ‘carbonated beverage with fruit juice’. Under this new category, the quantity of fruit juice shall be below 10.0 per cent but not less than 5.0 per cent (2.5 per cent in case of lime or lemon). Soft drink makers in the country now have the opportunity to mix fruit juice in aerated drinks to find a new market for their produce.