FSSAI Notifications & Circulars

Amends standards for multiple food product categories including edible oils, dairy products, and processed foods. Introduces new maximum residue limits (MRLs) and updated compositional standards aligned with Codex Alimentarius guidelines. Food businesses must update labelling and formulations to comply within the prescribed transition period.

Mandates prominent front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) for packaged food products above specified thresholds for sugar, salt, and saturated fat. All manufacturers must comply with new label design requirements including High Fat, Sugar, Salt (HFSS) warning icons by the notified deadline. Applies to all packaged foods sold in India.

Revises permissible limits for pesticide residues, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic), and mycotoxins in various food commodities. Sets stricter limits for aflatoxins in cereals and milk. Import consignments and domestic produce must conform to these updated standards to avoid rejection.

Introduces updated definitions and standards for nutraceuticals, health supplements, and functional foods. Businesses dealing in these product categories must ensure product formulations, claims, and labels comply with new standards. All novel food products require prior approval from FSSAI before market launch.

Amends import regulations to tighten food safety checks at ports of entry. Mandates enhanced testing protocols for high-risk food items including processed meats, dairy, and ready-to-eat products from specified countries. All importers must update their registration on the FICS portal and comply with revised documentation requirements.

Bans the use of certain plasticizers and chemicals in food contact materials. Introduces permissible migration limits for packaging materials including polyethylene, polypropylene, and recycled plastics used for food packaging. Manufacturers and importers of packaged foods must ensure their packaging material vendors are compliant.

Revises annual turnover thresholds for FSSAI registration and licensing categories (effective April 1, 2026): Registration up to ₹1.5 Crore (revised from ₹12 lakh), State License ₹1.5 Cr to ₹50 Crore (revised from ₹20 Cr), Central License above ₹50 Crore. Also amends procedural requirements for online license applications and renewal timelines.

Mandates all food businesses to establish a documented food recall and withdrawal procedure. Businesses with state or central licenses must register their recall procedure on the FoSCoS portal. In the event of a safety alert, recall must be initiated within 24–72 hours depending on risk level, with mandatory reporting to FSSAI.

Updates standards for wine, beer, spirits, and other alcoholic beverages including revised alcohol content limits and new labelling requirements. Introduces mandatory country-of-origin disclosure for imported alcoholic products. Domestic manufacturers must update product labels within the compliance window.

Restricts the sale of certain synthetic food colours and preservatives in specified food products. Adds new entries to the list of prohibited substances including specific artificial sweeteners above prescribed limits. Food manufacturers using synthetic additives must verify their permitted status under the updated schedule.

Proposes making fortification mandatory for wheat flour, rice, edible oil, milk, and double-fortified salt sold through PDS and retail. Manufacturers of these staples would be required to add specified levels of vitamins and minerals (Vitamin A, D, Iron, Folic Acid, B12). Public objections and suggestions are invited within 30 days of publication.

Proposes streamlining the certification process for organic food businesses and introducing a new QR-code based verification system for organic product authenticity. Organic food sellers would be required to display a digital certificate accessible via QR code on packaging. Stakeholder comments invited until March 31, 2026.

Proposed first-ever regulatory framework for plant-based meat alternatives, lab-grown proteins, and insect-based food products in India. Sets compositional standards, labelling requirements (must not mimic conventional meat names), and safety evaluation procedures. This draft invites comments from food tech companies, manufacturers, and consumer groups.

Proposes revised MRLs for 45 pesticide-commodity combinations based on updated dietary exposure assessments. Stricter limits proposed for strawberries, grapes, tomatoes, and leafy vegetables. Exporters of fresh produce are particularly advised to review proposed limits to assess export compliance impact.

Proposes comprehensive regulations for online food platforms including Zomato, Swiggy, BigBasket, and social media food sellers. Platforms would be required to display FSSAI license numbers of all listed restaurants and food businesses. Home-based food sellers operating via social media platforms above ₹12 lakh annual online revenue must obtain at least Basic Registration.

Proposes updated compositional standards for processed cheese, cheese spreads, yoghurt, and fermented dairy products. Introduces new category definitions for probiotic and prebiotic dairy products with minimum viable count requirements. Dairy businesses should review proposed standards and submit comments by the deadline.

FSSAI has directed all food delivery aggregators (Zomato, Swiggy, etc.) to prominently display the valid FSSAI license/registration number for every food business listed on their platform. Restaurants and home sellers not yet licensed must obtain their FSSAI registration immediately to avoid de-listing. Platforms face penalties for non-compliant listings.

With rising temperatures, FSSAI advises all food processing and storage facilities to intensify hygiene monitoring, pest control, and cold chain management. Specific guidance for ice cream, dairy, and ready-to-eat food manufacturers. Facilities are advised to conduct internal audits and rectify any cold storage deficiencies before summer onset.

FSSAI reminds all food businesses that revised licensing threshold becomes applicable from April 1, 2026. Food businesses with turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹1.5 crore that previously held only Basic Registration must upgrade to State License. Existing licensees with valid licenses need not re-apply but must comply at renewal. Voluntary compliance encouraged before the deadline.

Following multiple detected cases of adulteration with non-permitted food colours in turmeric, chilli powder, and spice blends, FSSAI has issued a strict advisory to spice manufacturers and traders. Random sampling and testing will be enhanced across markets. Businesses found using non-permitted colours face FBO license cancellation and prosecution under FSS Act, 2006.

FSSAI reiterates the mandatory requirement to declare all 8 major allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, fish, shellfish, soybean) in a highlighted format on food labels. Businesses selling products containing any of these allergens without proper declaration are subject to enforcement action. Guidance document for allergen labelling compliance also issued.

FSSAI reiterated that food businesses with state or central licenses must ensure at least one Food Safety Supervisor (FSS) per 25 food handlers is FoSTaC certified. Businesses that have not yet enrolled their supervisors for FoSTaC training are advised to do so through FSSAI-empanelled training partners. Penalty provisions under FSS Act may be invoked for non-compliant businesses.

Reiterates the complete ban on use of calcium carbide (masala) for artificial ripening of fruits. Ethylene gas generators at permitted concentrations remain the only approved method. Fruit traders, cold storage operators, and wholesalers found using calcium carbide face imprisonment of up to 3 years and/or fine up to ₹5 lakh under FSS Act provisions.

Monsoon season advisory for street food vendors, restaurants, and food processors on preventing microbial contamination, ensuring safe water sources, and proper food storage during rains. Specific guidance for preventing cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A outbreaks linked to contaminated food and water. Municipal authorities also directed to increase inspection frequency.

With the rapid expansion of ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) food category, FSSAI issued guidance that all food sellers on ONDC must have valid FSSAI registration/license and display it on their ONDC storefront. ONDC network participants (buyer and seller apps) must not onboard food businesses without valid FSSAI credentials.

FSSAI has announced expansion of the Clean Street Food Hub initiative to 100 cities across India, up from 25 previously. The initiative aims to certify street food zones where vendors meet defined hygiene standards, receive food safety training, and display FSSAI registrations. Certified hubs receive promotional support from FSSAI and municipal bodies. Urban local bodies and FBOs can apply online.

FSSAI has piloted an AI-powered rapid food testing kit for detecting adulteration in milk, ghee, edible oil, and spices at field level. The kit can deliver results in under 5 minutes and is being deployed with food safety officers across 10 states. This initiative supports the Eat Right India campaign and aims to improve enforcement efficiency at the grass-roots level.

FSSAI marked World Food Safety Day (June 7) with a nationwide awareness campaign including school outreach, consumer helpline booths, and a social media drive under #EatRightIndia. Over 5,000 schools and 2 crore consumers were reached. The theme for 2025 was 'Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected' emphasizing climate resilience in food systems.

FSSAI and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) signed an MoU to streamline export compliance processes. The collaboration will create an integrated portal for food exporters to obtain FSSAI Central License and APEDA registration simultaneously. This is expected to reduce compliance time for food exporters by up to 40%.

FSSAI announced that the total number of registered Food Business Operators (FBOs) on the FoSCoS portal crossed 1 crore — a historic milestone reflecting India's rapidly growing formal food economy. The milestone was achieved with significant contribution from small businesses including home-based food operators, street vendors, and petty retailers formalized under the Eat Right India initiative.

FSSAI released revised guidelines for implementation of Food Safety Management Systems aligned with ISO 22000:2018 and HACCP principles. The guidelines are mandatory for licensed food manufacturers and recommended for all FBOs. FSSAI also announced a subsidised FSMS implementation support program for small and medium food enterprises (SMEs) through its network of partners.