From January 1, 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will require all food safety risk assessment requests to follow a single, scientific format.

The new system will apply to anyone seeking a review of food safety standards or proposing changes, including food businesses, industry associations, and research institutions. Only entities with a valid FSSAI registration will be able to submit requests. FSSAI has stated that incomplete or poorly supported submissions will no longer be accepted.

This change is intended to bring clarity, consistency, and scientific rigor to a process that has often been delayed due to scattered data and inconsistent formats.

What the New Format Will Require

Under the updated rules, every application must include a complete evidence package. This means sharing:

• Nutritional data
• Indian consumption patterns
• Toxicological studies
• Allergy risks
• Safe intake limits

Importantly, studies from other countries alone won’t be enough. FSSAI emphasizes India-specific data because our eating habits, portion sizes, and sensitivities often differ from the rest of the world. This ensures regulators can assess real-world risks for Indian consumers.

Once submitted, the evidence will be reviewed by FSSAI’s Science and Standards Division, and expert panels will decide whether a product or standard can be approved, restricted, continued, or capped with stricter limits.

A Smarter Submission Process

From 2026, all applications must go through the National Science Centre (NSC) portal manual forms and emails won’t be accepted anymore.

The new 23-point format asks for detailed scientific reasoning, global regulatory comparisons, impact assessments, and Indian dietary exposure data. Technical details like testing methods, lab accreditations, manufacturing processes, trade data, and safety limits are now mandatory.

FSSAI has reassured businesses that sensitive R&D data will remain confidential, used only for scientific and policy decisions.

What This Means for Companies and Consumers

The rule will not trigger automatic checks of products already in the market. It applies only when a stakeholder approaches FSSAI for a risk assessment or standard change.

For companies, this means higher preparation efforts and possibly longer timelines. But it also reduces uncertainty and repeated follow-ups. For consumers, the change promises safer, better-regulated foods grounded in Indian science.

FSSAI’s new evidence-led system marks a major shift in food regulation. By demanding strong scientific proof and Indian data, the regulator aims to protect public health while making food safety decisions clearer and more reliable.