Parliament Question: Differential use of Ingredients in Food Products

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1080 TO BE ANSWERED ON24THJULY, 2026 DIFFERENTIALUSE OFINGREDIENTS IN FOOD PRODUCTS 1080. SHRI JAGDAMBIKAPAL: Will the Ministerof HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a) whether the Government is aware of the differential use of ingredientby manufacturers in products sold in India and abroad leading to adverse health impacts, if so, the details thereof andif not,the reasons therefor; (b) whether the Government is considering stricter regulations to ensure uniform global standards for food productssold inthe countryandif so, the detailsthereof; and (c) the measures being taken by the Government to prevent the use of harmful additives in thisregard? ANSWER THE MINISTEROFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (c): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is mandated to lay down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. The implementation and enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006isa shared responsibility between the Central andStateGovernments. The Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 prescribe the standards for various food products, including the food additives permitted for use in different categories of foods and their maximum permissible limits. The permitted additivesare specified based on scientific risk assessment carriedout by the independent bodies i.e. Scientific Panels and the Scientific Committee of FSSAI, taking intoaccountavailable scientific evidence,dietaryexposure and country-specific requirements.The food additives permitted for use are listed in Appendix Aof the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. Any additive not specified therein is not permitted for use in food. These Regulations are substantially harmonized with the internationally accepted Codex General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Further, Risk assessment is a continuous process that takesplace in view of the globalbest practices. As andwhen hazards are identified,appropriate measures are takentosafeguard public health. Food standards are kept under continuous review based on new scientific evidence, technological needs, risk assessments and internationally recognized best practices. Whenever warranted, the standards and permitted limits of food additives are revised to ensure the protection of public health. In case of anydeviations, appropriate regulatory and punitive actions have been taken against the defaulting Food Business Operators (FBOs) as perthe provisions of the FSS Act, 2006 andthe rulesandregulationmade thereunder. *****