Parliament Question: Regulation of Non-Specified Foods and Food Ingredients

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 4605 TO BE ANSWERED ON20th MARCH, 2026 REGULATIONOFNON-SPECIFIED FOODSAND FOODINGREDIENTS 4605. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED: SHRI VIJAYKUMAR HANSDAK: SHRI KARTI PCHIDAMBARAM: ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH: SHRI CHARANJITSINGH CHANNI: Will the Ministerof HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a)the detailsof applications submitted, approved,rejectedandpendingunderthe Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specified Food and Food Ingredients) Regulations, byFoodBusiness Operators (FBOs) since 2020,year-wise; (b) the detailsof non-specified foodsand food ingredientsfor which approval hasbeen granted, including novel foods, proprietary foods, nutraceuticals, functional foods and importedproductssince 2020, category-wise andproduct-wise; (c)the detailsof approvalswithdrawn, suspended or modifieddue tosafety concernssince 2020,year-wise; (d) whether the Government hasidentified anychallengesregardingdelays, proceduralor complianceissues facedbyFBOsin obtainingapprovals, if so, the detailsthereof; and (e)whether anymechanism exists for periodic reviewandupdationof relevantstandards or provisions inlight of emerging scientific evidence,newrisk assessments, international best practicesandfood innovationsand if so, the detailsthereof? ANSWER THE MINISTEROFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (e): 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andStateGovernments.The details of non-specified foods and food ingredients which have been approved Rejected, Closed/Withdrawn since 2020 is available on the official website of FSSAI at the weblink https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Status_of_Application_as_on_09_03_2026.pdf. The FSSAI has designed, developed and introduced e-PAAS (electronic Product & Claim Approval Application System), the online portal to facilitate FBOs and other applicants to apply for Product Approval for transparency in dealing with public/other stakeholders and efficient utilization of resources. Food Business Operators (FBOs) have the option to raise their concerns either electronically or via email. The concerns are promptlyaddressed, and the relevant information is communicated tothem accordingly. To expedite the approval process for Non-Specified Foods (NSF), FSSAI has also established six ExpertCommittees. The approval of novel and non-specified food/food ingredients is regulated by the Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specified Food and Food Ingredients) Regulations, 2017. Amendment in the regulation or the provision of the regulation is made in light of emerging scientific evidence, new risk assessments, international best practices and food innovations. FSSAI has implemented a harmonized format whereby all stakeholders includingFBOs, industry associations, research institutions, professionals, and citizens may voluntarily share data generated through monitoring, internal assessments, or Research & Development (R & D) relevant to food safety and nutrition, in the prescribed format. The representation so received are utilized by FSSAI for scientific evaluation, standard-setting, and policy purposes and any amendment in existing regulation or provision accordingly. *****