Key Development

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has granted a three-month extension to food business operators (FBOs) to comply with the revised manufacturing standards for meat sausage, offering temporary relief to the meat processing industry.

Revised Norms Deferred to May 1, 2026

FSSAI introduced the updated standards under the Food Safety and Standards (First Amendment) Regulations, 2025, and initially planned to enforce them from February 1, 2026. Following representations from industry stakeholders, the authority has deferred the compliance deadline to May 1, 2026.

Industry Concerns Drive Decision

Officials said FSSAI took the decision after extensive consultations with the meat processing sector. Since the amendments were notified in July 2025, manufacturers have expressed concerns over the short transition period available to implement major operational changes.

Key Challenges Highlighted by Stakeholders

Industry bodies pointed to several hurdles, including the need to reformulate products to meet revised additive limits and protein specifications, upgrade processing facilities to comply with stricter hygiene and preparation norms, and clear existing inventory produced under the earlier standards to avoid financial losses. Stakeholders said these steps required additional time to ensure smooth implementation without disrupting supply chains.

Focus on Uniform Safety and Quality

An official familiar with the matter said FSSAI granted the extension to ensure the industry is fully prepared before enforcement begins. The regulator aims to ensure that once the norms come into force, all meat sausage products in the market meet enhanced safety and quality benchmarks.

Revised Timeline Reinforces Food Safety Goals

In its original notification issued on July 10, 2025, FSSAI had set February 2026 as the implementation deadline. With the revised timeline, FBOs now have until May 1, 2026, to align their operations with the updated standards, supporting the regulator’s broader goal of strengthening food safety and consumer confidence in processed meat products.

Source: Foodtech Network