Key Update 

The FSSAI has formed an expert committee to revise India’s organic food regulations, aiming to modernise certification norms and labelling requirements, align with international standards, and enhance consumer confidence in organic products.

Panel to Revise NPOP and Certification Systems

The newly formed panel will update the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), which has guided India’s organic certification framework since 2014. The European Union, the UK, and Switzerland have already recognised the NPOP, which helps regulate organic exports and ensure international compliance. The panel will also review the dual certification systems—NPOP and the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS)—to clarify processes and bring greater consistency to the organic food ecosystem.

Global Alignment at the Core of Reforms

FSSAI officials stated that they aim to harmonise India’s organic food regulations with international benchmarks through the revamp. They expect this alignment to benefit both domestic producers and exporters by ensuring transparent and credible certification standards. However, several stakeholders have raised concerns about how the reform might affect small-scale organic farmers. Critics warn that stricter regulatory scrutiny and complex certification processes could push informal or community-based organic producers out of the formal market.

Timeline Yet to Be Announced

While FSSAI has initiated the regulatory overhaul, it has not yet disclosed a timeline for the completion of the panel’s work or the rollout of the new framework.

Source: The Economic Times