Key Update

India’s food regulator will tighten its approach to food safety reviews, requiring scientific evidence instead of mere assurances when evaluating a product’s safety. From January 1, 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will require companies to submit all requests for food safety reviews or changes to food standards in a single, standardised format backed by scientific data.

What the New Submission Framework Requires

The framework requires companies to provide detailed information on a product’s nutritional composition, consumption levels among Indian consumers, toxicological study results, safe intake limits, potential allergen risks, and other scientific evidence supporting safety claims. FSSAI’s expert panels will examine the submissions to determine whether a product can be approved, allowed to continue, restricted, or subjected to stricter regulatory limits.

No Automatic Review of Existing Products

The new requirement will not trigger a blanket re-evaluation of products already on the market. It applies only when a company or stakeholder approaches FSSAI to introduce a new product or requests a scientific reassessment of an existing one. In these cases, the responsibility to demonstrate safety rests entirely with the applicant.

Focus on Indian Consumption Patterns

Officials highlighted the need for India-specific risk assessments, especially as packaged and processed foods become more widespread. International studies may not accurately reflect Indian exposure due to differences in dietary habits, portion sizes, and frequency of consumption.

Anjali Bhola, Dietician at the National Cancer Institute, Jhajjar (AIIMS), said the move strengthens public health protection. Requiring evidence on long-term safety, actual consumption patterns, and allergy risks makes food regulations more realistic, science-driven, and better suited to Indian consumers.

Implications for Industry and Consumers

FSSAI has assured stakeholders that all submitted data will remain confidential and will be used only for scientific evaluation and policy decisions.

While largely procedural, the change carries a significant impact. Companies seeking regulatory reviews or standard revisions will need to invest in India-specific safety data, potentially increasing compliance costs and timelines. However, the move is expected to bring greater clarity, consistency, and transparency to food safety decision-making, benefiting both regulators and consumers in the long run.

Source: Money Control