Indian Food Laws: Understanding FSSAI, FSSA 2006, and Key Regulatory Frameworks

Introduction: Why Food Laws Exist in India

Food is a fundamental right, and consumers deserve safe, hygienic, and affordable food. Indian food laws ensure that:

Food is produced, processed, stored, and distributed safely
Consumers aren’t misled
Standards are maintained across diverse food categories

Since 2008, India’s food law landscape has been streamlined under FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India)—the country’s apex regulatory body.

1. National Food Control System: Who Governs What?

2. What is FSSAI and Why Was It Created?

FSSAI was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, enforced in 2011. It sets and enforces food safety standards across the supply chain, including:

Licensing
Labelling
Hygiene
Additive limits
Contaminant thresholds
Food testing and audits

FSSAI Snapshot:

HQ: New Delhi
Regional Offices: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Cochin, Chennai
Structure: 1 Chairperson, 22 Members (at least 1/3 women)
Current Leadership: Apurva Chandra (Chairman), Kamala V Rao (CEO, IAS)

Key FSSAI Initiatives

Food consultants help businesses align with these campaigns for both compliance and brand positioning.

3. Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006

FSSA is the backbone of food law in India. It consolidates all prior food acts and establishes a legal foundation for:

Food quality
Consumer safety
Industry accountability

Key Facts:

12 Chapters, 101 Sections, 2 Schedules
Covers registration, licensing, penalties, audits, and appeals
Makes FSSAI the apex regulatory authority

4. Other Supporting Food Laws and Authorities

BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards)

Works under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs
Governs product standardization, including:
Packaged water
Dairy products (12 mandatory dairy standards)
Legal backing from BIS Act, 2016
~20,000 product standards published

AGMARK

Based on the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937
Voluntary third-party certification
For domestic and export quality assurance of agri-produce
HQ: Faridabad | Labs: 12 (Central lab: Nagpur)

EIC (Export Inspection Council)

Regulated under the Export Quality Control and Inspection Act, 1963
Issues mandatory and voluntary export certifications
HQ: Delhi | Zonal offices: Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi, Chennai, Delhi
Ensures Indian food exports meet importing country requirements

Conclusion: Navigating Indian Food Laws with Confidence

Understanding and adhering to Indian food laws is essential for:

Compliance with FSSAI and BIS standards
Smooth domestic and export operations
Brand integrity and consumer trust

Engaging a qualified food processing consultant or food industry consultant can help with:

Facility audits and legal readiness
Product compliance (labelling, additives, hygiene)
Training teams for FSSAI and HACCP standards
Coordinating with AGMARK, EIC, BIS for multi-channel marketing

PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering INDIAN FOOD LAWS Build World-Class Food Factories 1 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering Content 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. # Introduction FSSAI FSSAI Initiative Other food laws Reference About PMG Engineering Build World-Class Food Factories 2 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 1. Introduction • Food is an essential commodity to survive. • Consumers have the right to safe and affordable food without being misled. • Food laws are a set of regulations created to protect food in all stages of production, distribution, and consumption. • The food sector has many categories, each with specific rules and regulations. • All food Laws, rules, or regulations are managed by FSSAI in India starting from the year 2008, and • Codex Alimentarius is a government body regulations laws food and regulating worldwide. Build World-Class Food Factories 3 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 1.1 Cause of Food Laws existence Protection of food safety Facilitates easier hazard analysis and removal Ensure consistent food quality Prevention of consumer exploitation Create transparency between manufacture and consumer Promote branding/fair trade practices Build World-Class Food Factories 4 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 1.2 National Food Control system The primary responsibility to maintain food safety and ensure consumer safety is: i. competent Single Single authority to monitor each category of food at any stage- FSSAI authority: ii. Multiple competent authorities: Many authorities aim to monitor each category of food at any stage including FSSAI, EIC, APEDA, MPEDA, Spice Board, Tea Board, Coconut board, etc. - At Import: FSSAI - At Export: EIC (Export Inspection Council) - At Domestic level: FSSAI Build World-Class Food Factories 5 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 1.3 List of Food Laws and Regulations before FSSAI • Before FSSAI, laws were framed by different ministries/ departments with different perspectives and enforcement approaches. • A total of 9 different laws were made by 8 different ministries governing the food sector which creates overlapping of quality and safety requirements and confusion amongst food business operators and consumers. # 1. 2. Acts/ Order The Prevention Of Food Adulteration Act Fruit Product Order 3. Meat Food Product Order 4. 5. Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order Solvent Extraction Oil, De-oiled Meal, And Edible Flour (Control) Order 6. Milk and Milk Products Order 7. 8. Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order Any other order under Essential Commodities Act Build World-Class Food Factories Year 1954 1955 1973 1947 1967 1992 1998 1955 6 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 2. FSSAI • FSSAI was established in 2008 as per the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006. • It came into enforcement in 2011, being responsible for managing food safety in our country, with various rules & regulations to monitor food supply/business associated with various food categories ensuring consumers’ safety. # List of food regulations Year 1. Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) 2011 Regulation, 2. Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) 2011 Regulation, 3. Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulation, 4. Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulation, 5. Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) 2011 2011 2011 Regulation, 6. Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sampling Analysis) Regulation, 2011 7 Build World-Class Food Factories PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 2. FSSAI (Cont.) • After the year 2011, several regulations come in continuation as listed below to encounter each section of food. • Furthermore, many amendments also have been noted which shows the flexibility in regulations for any modification if required. # 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. List of food regulations Food Safety and Standards (Food or Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Foods for Special Dietary Uses, Foods for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Foods and Novel Food) Regulations, Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulation, Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specified Food and Food Ingredients) Regulations, Food Safety and Standards (Organic Food) Regulation, Year 2016 2017 2017 2017 Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulation, 2018 8 Build World-Class Food Factories PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering # 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. List of food regulations Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Food) Regulation, Food Safety and Standards (Food Safety Auditing) Regulation, Food Safety and Standards (Recognition and Notification of Laboratories) Regulation, Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulation, Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulation, Food Safety and Standards (Recovery and Distribution of Surplus food) Regulation, Food Safety and Standards (Safe food and balanced diets for children in school) Regulations, Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahara) Regulations, Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Regulations, Year 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2019 2020 2020 2020 2022 2022 Build World-Class Food Factories 9 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 2. FSSAI (Cont.) • Headquarters: New Delhi • Have 6 Nos regional offices: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Cochin, and Chennai. • • Comprised of 1 No Chairman and 22 other members including 1-3rd women. Current chairman & CEO: Apurva Chandra & Kamala V Rao (IAS) Function of FSSAI ✓ Setting rules, regulation ✓ Registration & Licensing ✓Regulation various food domains ✓ Testing product standards ✓ Assure food safety & Creating awareness ✓ Regular Audits & record keeping ✓ Updating government & ✓ Accommodate with foreign bodies Build World-Class Food Factories 10 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 2.1 FSSAI Initiatives Some of the major initiatives of FSSAI are as follows: 1. Eat right movement - Promotes healthier dietary habits and lifestyles in India. - Encourage balanced nutrition, food safety, and hygiene practices - Aims to combat malnutrition, obesity, and diet-related diseases, ultimately contributing to the overall health of the Indian populace. Build World-Class Food Factories 11 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 2.1 FSSAI Initiatives 2. Safe and Nutritious Food (SNF) - Promotes food safety and balanced nutrition - Aim to raise awareness about healthy eating habits and food safety practices. - Provides guidelines for consumers and food businesses to ensure safe and nutritious food. Build World-Class Food Factories 12 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 2.1 FSSAI Initiatives 3. Diet4Life: - - - Focused on promoting healthy dietary habits and lifestyles. Encourages balanced nutrition and mindful eating choices. Aim to raise awareness about the importance of nutrition in overall well- being. FSSAI has started other initiatives like 'PGS-India', Save Food, Share Food, Share Joy, and Clean Street Food that are making our lives healthier and happier. Build World-Class Food Factories 13 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 3. FSSA 2006 • • FSSA stands for Food Safety and Standards Act. Foundation of all food regulations in the country. • Have 12 chapters with 101 sections and 2 No Schedules. • Enacted to protect food and ensure food safety and quality • Consolidates various laws related to food and establishes the Food Safety and India (FSSAI) as an apex-independent statutory Standards Authority of authority body. Build World-Class Food Factories 14 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 4. Other Food laws 4.1 BIS - Standards for Bureau of Indian Standards - Established depending upon BIS Act 2016 - Work under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution - Aim to Harmonious develop activities of quality standardization, marking certification of goods and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto and - Have approx. 20000 nos standards with 12 nos. mandatory standard which regulates quality of dairy based product and packaged water supply. Build World-Class Food Factories 15 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 4. Other Food laws 4.2 AGMARK - Stands for Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marketing) Act of India, 1937 - Voluntary Certification mark made for marketing of Agricultural produce, acting as a third-party guarantee. - Aim: To provide consumers with quality, unadulterated products. - The grading can be used for both domestic and export purposes - Head office: Faridabad - AGMARK labs: 12 (Central lab: Nagpur, 11 Nos. State-owned lab) Build World-Class Food Factories 16 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering 4. Other Food laws 4.3 EIC (Export Council) - Established as per the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963 Inspection - - Provide both mandatory and voluntary certificates Ensure the quality and safety of the product being exported, to meet the requirements of importing countries. - Head office: Delhi - Agency Locations: Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi, Delhi, and Chennai with 30 Nos sub-offices. Build World-Class Food Factories 17 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering • • • • • FSSAI https://www.bis.gov.in/ https://foscos.fssai.gov.in/consumergrievance/about-fssai https://foodregulatory.fssai.gov.in/agmark-certification Export Inspection Council - Mcommerce Build World-Class Food Factories 18 PMG Engineering Private Limited The End-to-End Engineering Company in Food Industry info@pmg.engineering | www.pmg.engineering www.pmg.engineering info@pmg.engineering Our Clients Build World-Class Food Factories # We deliver End-to-End Engineering Design and Construction Management Projects in Food and Beverage Industry. Meeting Global Benchmarks In ENGINEERING DESIGN and PROJECT MANAGEMENT for FOOD and BEVERAGE Industry with SINGLE POINT ACCOUNTABILITY Process Engineering | Project Management | Mechanical | Electrical | Automation | Food Safety Key Clients We deliver End-to-End Engineering Design and Construction Management Projects in Food and Beverage Industry. Meeting Global Benchmarks In ENGINEERING DESIGN and PROJECT MANAGEMENT for FOOD and BEVERAGE Industry with SINGLE POINT ACCOUNTABILITY Process Engineering | Project Management | Mechanical | Electrical | Automation | Food Safety Key Clients We deliver End-to-End Engineering Design and Construction Management Projects in Food and Beverage Industry. Meeting Global Benchmarks In ENGINEERING DESIGN and PROJECT MANAGEMENT for FOOD and BEVERAGE Industry with SINGLE POINT ACCOUNTABILITY Process Engineering | Project Management | Mechanical | Electrical | Automation | Food Safety Key Clients

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