Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 2: India’s food regulator has introduced a major change: from January 1, 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will require scientific evidence, not just promises, when assessing the safety of any food product.
The new rule mandates that all submissions seeking a food safety review or changes in food standards follow a single, standardised format backed by data. Officials said the move comes after past requests often lacked essential information, making proper risk assessment difficult.
The requirement does not automatically trigger re-examination of foods already in the market. It applies only when a stakeholder requests a scientific risk assessment for introducing a new product or reviewing an existing one. In such cases, the burden of proof rests with the applicant.
Under the new format, submissions must include nutritional information, typical consumption levels among Indians, results of toxicological studies, evidence on safe intake limits, allergy risks, and supporting scientific studies. FSSAI’s Science and Standards Division and expert panels will review the data to decide whether a product can be approved, continued, restricted, or subjected to tighter limits.
Officials highlighted the importance of focusing on Indian eating habits, noting that overseas data may not reflect real exposure. “Earlier, many foods were approved using limited or incomplete information. Since Indian food habits, portion sizes and sensitivities differ from other countries, asking for proper proof about long-term safety, consumption, and allergy risks makes food rules more practical, science-based, and safer for Indian consumers,” said Anjali Bhola, dietician at the National Cancer Institute, Jhajjar, AIIMS.
FSSAI assured stakeholders that all submitted data will remain confidential and be used only for scientific evaluation and policy decisions. For consumers, the message is clear: when food safety is questioned, evidence will now determine what stays on the plate.