GCC Issues Draft Technical Standard on Non-Alcoholic Beverages

On April 04, 2021, the GCC Gulf Standardization Organization scientific opinions published draft standards and has updated the GSO Technical regulation No. GSO 18/2006 "Non-Alcoholic Carbonated Beverages" by Saudi Arabia. The draft Technical regulation GSO 18/2021 has been prepared based on relevant ADMO, International and National foreign Standards and references.

The scientific document refers to non-alcoholic carbonated beverages and carbonated water. Key points are summarized below:

• The GSO standard is applicable for microbial criteria and chemical analysis.
• Nutritional labelling requirements must comply with the standard. If the product contains caffeine, it shall be clearly declared.
• The water used in the preparation of non-alcoholic carbonated beverages and carbonated water shall be potable and complying with the Gulf standard as provided.
• The carbon dioxide used the preparation of non-alcoholic carbonated beverages and carbonated water shall comply with the Gulf standard.
• Heavy metals shall not exceed 0.2ppm for lead and 0.1ppm for arsenic.
• Packaging, transportation and storage rules have been clearly indicated.
• Additives shall be free from impurities and shall comply with regulatory standards

The draft is open for public comments till June 01, 2021.

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