Law Updates

Subject

Summary: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued draft amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Food Safety Auditing) Regulations, 2018. The notification was published on 21 May, 2026 and also invites objections or suggestions from the stakeholders within 60 days.  Under the proposed amendments, FSSAI has also expanded the list of educational qualifications eligible for food safety auditors. The revised list also includes degrees related to:  Food Technology  Food Engineering Biotechnology Agriculture Veterinary Science Public Health Microbiology  Medicine and other related disciplines from recognized universities or institutions.  The draft also mandates successful completion of an accredited Lead Auditor course in Food Safety Management System (ISO 22000). Additionally, auditors must possess at least two years of work experience in the food sector and should have conducted a minimum of ten audits, including internal or third-party audits.  These amendments aim to strengthen food safety auditing standards and ensure better compliance within the food industry.

Subject

Summary:   On 28 November 2025, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an order directing immediate enforcement action against the illegal use of Auramine, an industrial dye, in food products. The order specifically targets roasted Chana and similar items where Auramine has been reportedly used to improve colour. Auramine is a synthetic dye not permitted under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. Its presence renders any food product unsafe under Section 3(1)(zz)(v) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. FSSAI has instructed Commissioners of Food Safety in all States and Union Territories, along with Central Licensing Authorities, to conduct inspections, sampling, and testing of vulnerable products. Actions must cover manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution, transportation, and sale across organized, unorganized, and e-commerce sectors. Defaulting Food Business Operators (FBOs) will face appropriate action. A combined report of actions taken must be submitted within 15 days. FSSAI has also provided a list of four NABL-accredited laboratories for Auramine testing in cereal and cereal products.

Subject

Summary: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has extended the date for enforcing new labelling rules for alcoholic beverages. These rules are part of the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) First Amendment Regulations, 2025. Earlier, the rules were supposed to start on January 1, 2026. Now, the new enforcement date is 1st July, 2026. The notification issued on June 20, 2025, introduced new standards for different alcoholic drinks such as mead (honey wine), craft beer, Indian liquors, wine-based beverages, and alcoholic ready-to-drink (RTD) products. It also included changes in labelling requirements for these products. A stakeholder pointed out that alcoholic beverages must also follow State Excise Laws. In many states, label registration takes place at the beginning of the excise year, which usually starts on April 1st or July 1st. Changing labels in the middle of the excise year can create many practical problems. It may lead to business disruption, waste of already printed labels, and extra cost for printing and re-registering new labels. After reviewing these concerns, FSSAI decided to grant more time to the industry. The extension has been issued under the powers given to FSSAI under Section 16(5) of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Subject

Summary: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive to strengthen safety compliance for dairy units selling milk and milk products through vending machines, kiosks, and similar dispensing systems. To protect consumer health, avoid adulteration, and promote transparency, all dairy manufacturers operating such systems should maintain FSSAI-approved or validated rapid test kits at each vending location. These kits are intended for basic detection of common adulterants in milk and milk products. Dairy units must also display simple, clear instructions on how to use the rapid test kits. They are required to simplify consumer self-checking either by allowing direct use of the kits at the kiosk or by giving demonstrations through trained staff. All test kits must remain within their validity period and be stored according to manufacturer guidelines to ensure accuracy. Additionally, dairy units must regularly monitor and maintain records of kit usage and test results. This mandate aims to build consumer trust, ensure product integrity, and support a participatory food safety culture across dairy vending operations.

Subject

Summary: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has officially notified the Food Safety and Standards (Import) First Amendment Regulations, 2025. These amendments, approved by the Central Government, will take effect from May 1, 2026. The update follows the draft notification released on October 3, 2024, which invited public feedback and was later finalized after considering the suggestions received. The amendment introduces significant changes to Regulation 10 of the 2017 Import Regulations. It specifies that the manuals of methods of analysis, updated or adopted by FSSAI, must be used for testing imported food samples. If a particular method is unavailable in these manuals, laboratories may follow validated methods from recognized international standards such as AOAC, ISO, BIS, Codex Alimentarius, or other equivalent agencies. Additionally, laboratories are now required to issue analysis reports in Form 2 within five days of receiving the samples, ensuring faster and more transparent reporting for import compliance.

Subject

Summary: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced a new food import entry point at the Air Cargo Complex, Kannur International Airport in Kerala. This update, issued by the Trade and International Cooperation Division, modifies the earlier FSSAI notification dated July 21, 2025.  The move ensures that all imported food consignments arriving at Kannur Airport will undergo strict safety and quality checks under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, and the FSS (Imports) Regulations, 2017. The appointed Authorized Officer, with the designation of Superintendent, Appraiser, Inspector, or Examiner, will oversee all import clearances at this port.  This step strengthens India’s food import surveillance and regulatory framework, promoting safe and compliant food trade. The new administrative structure will remain in effect until further notice. This initiative reinforces FSSAI’s commitment to ensuring that every imported food product meets safety norms, protecting consumer health while supporting smoother import operations through the newly designated port code INCNN4 at Kannur International Airport.