New Delhi: India's apex food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has rolled out a series of revised and draft regulations designed to bolster food safety standards for a wide array of commonly consumed products. The move comes amid escalating concerns regarding contamination, adulteration, and the presence of chemical residues in the food supply chain.
Expanded Contamination Standards for Household Staples
Effective from December 1, 2026, the updated regulations will impose stricter limits on contaminants like lead and cadmium. These enhanced standards will now encompass pulse flours, such as besan, and packaged mixes, extending beyond the previously covered pulses. Furthermore, the FSSAI has revised the permissible limits for aflatoxins—toxic substances produced by certain fungi—in oils, oilseeds, and ready-to-eat oilseed products. The regulator has also updated testing norms for arsenic in fish oils and established new standards for saffrole, a naturally occurring substance found in ingredients like nutmeg and mace.
Addressing Antibiotic Residues in Seafood
A significant addition to the revised regulations involves the introduction of residue limits for antibiotics in seafood products. This includes crucial items such as shrimps, prawns, and other fishery products. The FSSAI has set new limits for antibiotics like trimethoprim and oxolinic acid, responding to growing global concerns about antimicrobial residues entering the food chain. Dieticians emphasize the importance of these stricter standards, noting that continuous exposure to heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium can elevate the risk of severe health issues, including kidney damage, neurological disorders, and cancer over time.
New Norms for Edible Seeds and Specialty Oils
The draft regulations also extend to edible seeds, including watermelon, cucumber, pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, and flaxseed, whether sold raw, roasted, or salted. These seeds must now be certified as clean and free from insects, fungus, and visible contamination before being offered for sale. For the burgeoning market of specialty seed oils, particularly cold-pressed varieties, the proposed norms mandate that these products remain free from adulteration, harmful impurities, rancidity, and mineral oil contamination. The regulations also prescribe limits for moisture and acidity content, alongside metal content, addressing concerns that the rapid growth of this market segment has outpaced regulatory oversight, leading to potential issues with misleading labels and inconsistent quality.
The FSSAI has opened these draft regulations for public comment for a period of 60 days, after which they will be finalized. This comprehensive overhaul of food safety regulations underscores India's commitment to ensuring the integrity and safety of its food products for domestic consumption and international trade.