## Report on Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Regulations, 2022
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes the Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Regulations, 2022, as notified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This new policy establishes definitions, general requirements, labeling guidelines, and compliance procedures for vegan foods in India. The core purpose is to regulate the manufacture, sale, and import of vegan food products, ensuring their integrity and proper labeling, thereby protecting consumer interests. Key findings include the establishment of a specific definition for "vegan food," the mandate for distinct labeling and display, and the requirement for traceability and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices to prevent cross-contamination.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview of the Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Regulations, 2022, based solely on the provided official gazette notification. The purpose is to inform stakeholders about the key provisions and implications of these regulations.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This is a **New Policy**.
* **Core Objective(s):** The primary objectives, as inferred from the text, are to:
* Define "vegan food" for regulatory purposes.
* Establish standards for the manufacturing, packaging, selling, and importing of vegan food.
* Ensure proper labeling and display of vegan food products.
* Maintain the integrity of vegan food products throughout the production and distribution chain.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
As this is a new policy, the text suggests the likely problem/issue being addressed is the lack of specific regulations and standards for vegan food in India. This absence could lead to mislabeling, inconsistent product quality, and potential consumer deception. The policy aims to provide clarity and assurance regarding the authenticity and safety of vegan food products. The increasing demand for vegan products likely necessitates such regulation.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
As this is a new policy, this section details the main components of the entire text:
* **Definition of Vegan Food:** The regulations define vegan food as food or food ingredients that are not products of animal origin and have not used ingredients of animal origin at any stage of production and processing.
* **General Requirements:**
* Prohibits the manufacture, sale, or import of food labeled as vegan unless compliant with the regulations.
* Mandates that vegan food production does not involve animal testing unless required by a regulatory authority.
* Requires packaging materials to comply with existing packaging regulations.
* Requires Food Business Operators (FBOs) to implement Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to prevent cross-contamination with non-vegan substances.
* Specifies cleaning procedures for shared production lines.
* Establishes traceability requirements up to the manufacturer level.
* Mandates compliance with all other applicable food safety regulations.
* **Labeling and Display Requirements:**
* Requires distinct storage and display of vegan food in retail settings.
* Mandates a specific vegan logo on packaged vegan foods (logo not provided in this text, but its use is mandated).
* Requires compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020, with a specific exception of clause b of sub regulation 4 of regulation 5.
* **Vegan Food Compliance:**
* Requires FBOs to submit an application to the licensing authority with necessary details.
* Indicates that the Food Authority may specify guidelines for approval of the vegan logo.
* Requires imported vegan food products to have a certificate issued by recognized authorities of the exporting countries.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The target audience and stakeholders directly affected by these regulations include:
* Food Business Operators (FBOs) involved in the manufacture, packaging, selling, distribution, and import of vegan food products.
* Retailers selling vegan food products.
* Consumers of vegan food products.
* Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
* Licensing authorities.
* Exporting countries and their recognized authorities.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the primary responsible agency. Concerned licensing authorities are also involved.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The regulations came into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette (June 14, 2022). FBOs are required to submit an application to the concerned licensing authority, with details as specified by the Food Authority. The Food Authority is expected to provide guidelines for vegan logo approval and to specify the format for import certificates.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcomes based on the policy's stated provisions include:
* Increased clarity and standardization in the definition and labeling of vegan food products.
* Enhanced consumer trust in the authenticity and safety of vegan food.
* Improved traceability and accountability in the vegan food supply chain.
* Reduced risk of cross-contamination between vegan and non-vegan food products.
* Facilitation of trade in vegan food products by establishing clear regulatory requirements.
**9. Conclusion:**
The Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Regulations, 2022, represent a significant step towards regulating the growing vegan food market in India. By establishing clear definitions, standards, and labeling requirements, these regulations aim to protect consumer interests and ensure the integrity of vegan food products. The regulations place responsibilities on FBOs to adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices and implement traceability measures. Effective implementation and enforcement by the FSSAI are crucial for achieving the intended outcomes of this policy.
Key Entities Referenced
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India: An authority that published the notification regarding vegan food regulations.
New Delhi: Location where the notification was issued.
Food Safety and Standards Vegan Foods Regulations, 2021: The draft regulations regarding vegan foods published by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: The act under which the Food Safety and Standards Vegan Foods Regulations, 2021 were published.
Gazette of India: The official gazette in which the notification was published.
Central Government: The government body that provided previous approval for the regulations.
Food Safety and Standards Vegan Foods Regulations, 2022: The final regulations regarding vegan foods.
Good Manufacturing Practices: Standards to be followed during the production, processing, and distribution of vegan foods.
Food Safety and Standards Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020: Regulations specifying the packaging and labeling requirements for vegan foods.
ARUN SINGHAL: Chief Executive Officer
Mayapuri, New Delhi110064: Location of the Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press
Delhi110054: Location of the Controller of Publications
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग III—खण् ड 4
PART III—Section 4
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 299] नई दिल्ली, मगं लवार, िनू 14, 2022/ज्य ष्े ठ 24, 1944
No. 299] NEW DELHI TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022/JYAISTHA 24, 1944
भारतीय खाद्य सरु क्षा और मानक प्राजधकरण
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल् ली, 10 िून, 2022
फा. स.ं मानक/टीएफ-वगे न फूड्स/नोटटदफकेिन/एफएसएसएआई.—खाद्य सुरक्षा और मानक अजधजनयम, 2006
(2006 का संख यांक 34) की धारा 92 की उप-धारा (1) द्वारा यथा अपेजक्षत खाद्य सुरक्षा और मानक (वेगन फूड) जवजनयम
2021 का प्रारूप, भारतीय खाद्य सुरक्षा और मानक प्राजधकरण की अजधसूचना संखया फा. संखया मानक/टीएफ-वेगन
फूड्स/नोटटदफकेिन/एफएसएसएआई, तारीख 6 जसतंबर, 2021 द्वारा भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण भाग 3, खंड 4 म ें
प्रकाजित की गई थी, जिसम ें उन सभी व्यजियों स े जिनका इससे प्रभाजवत होना सम्भाव्य ह ै उस तारीख स,े जिसको उि
अजधसूचना म ें अन्तर्विष्ट रािपत्र की प्रजतयााँ िनता को उपलब्ध करा िी िाती ह,ै साठ दिनों की अवजध के अवसान स े पूव ि
आक्षेपो और सुझावों को आमंजत्रत दकया गया था;
और उक्त रािपत्र की प्रजतया ाँ8 जसतंबर, 2021 को िनता को उपलब् ध करा िी गई थीं;
और उक्त प्रारूप जवजनयमों पर िनता स े प्राप् त आपजियों और सुझावों पर भारतीय खाद्य सुरक्षा और मानक
प्राजधकरण द्वारा जवचार कर जलया गया ह;ै
अत: अब भारतीय खाद्य सुरक्षा और मानक प्राजधकरण, उक्त अजधजनयम की धारा 92 की उप-धारा (2) के खंड
(फ) द्वारा प्रित् त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए और केंद्रीय सरकार के पूवािनुमोिन स े जनम्न जलजखत जवजनयम बनाता ह,ै
अथाित:्-
1. संजक्षप्त नाम और प्रारंभ - (1) इन जवजनयमों का संजक्षप्त नाम खाद्य सुरक्षा और मानक (वेगन फूड) जवजनयम, 2022 ह।ै
(2) ये रािपत्र म ें इनके प्रकािन की जतजथ स ेप्रवृि होंग ेl
2. पटरभाषाए.ाँ– (1) इन जवजनयमों म,ें िब तक दक संिभ ि स े अन् यथा अपेजक्षत न हो, -
4018 GI/2022 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4]
(क) ‘वेगन फूड’ स े खाद्य अथवा खाद्य संघटक, जिनम ें योिक, सुवासकारी, एन् िाइम और वाहक िाजमल ह,ैं या
प्रसंस्ट् करण साधन अजभप्रेत ह ैं िो पि ु मलू के उत् पाि न हों तथा जिनके उत् पािन और प्रसंस्ट् करण के दकसी भी
चरण म ें ऐस े संघटकों, जिनम ें योिक, सुवासकारी, एन् िाइम और वाहक िाजमल ह,ैं अथवा प्रसंस्ट् करण
साधन का प्रयोग न दकया गया हो, िो पिु मलू के हों।
(2) उन िब्िों और पिों के, िो इससे प्रयुक् त ह,ै और पटरभाजषत नहीं ह,ै दकन्तु अजधजनयम या इसके अधीन बनाय े
गए जनयमो या जवजनयमों म ें पटरभाजषत ह,ै वही अथि होंगे िो उस अजधजनयम, जनयम या जवजनयम म ें ह ैl
3. साधारण अपक्षे ाए.ाँ- (1) कोई व् यजि दकसी खाद्य का वेगन फूड के रूप म ें उत् पािन, पैककंग, जवक्रय, जवक्रय के जलए
प्रस्ट् ताव, जवपणन अथवा अन् यथा जवतरण अथवा आयात नहीं करेगा, िब तक वह इन जवजनयमों के अधीन कजथत अपेक्षाओं
का अनुपालन न करे।
(2) जिन खाद्य उत् पािों को ‘वेगन’ कहा गया हो, उनके जलए दकसी भी प्रयोिन हते ु सुरक्षा आकलन सजहत
कोई पिु परीक्षण न दकया गया हो, िब तक उन् ह ेंजवजनयामक प्राजधकरण द्वारा अजनवाय िन बनाया िाए।
(3) वेगन फूड के जलए प्रयुक् त हर एक पैकेजिंग सामजिया ाँ पैकेजिगं जवजनयमों म ें जवजहत उपबधं ों के अनुरूप
हों।
(4) खाद्य कारोबारी यह सुजनजित करेगा दक उत् पािन, प्रसंस्ट् करण और जवतरण के सभी चरणों म ें अच्छी
जवजनमािण प्रथाए ं के अनुरूप समुजचत सावधाजनयााँ इस प्रकार बरती िाए ाँ दक उनम ें गरै -वेगन पिाथों की अनािजयत
मौिूिगी स े बचा िाए l
(5) यदि एक ही उत् पािन लाइन पर गरै -वेगन उत् पािों या संघटकों का काम होन े पर वगे न उत् पािों के
उत् पािन स े पहले उसे पूरी तरह साफ दकया िाए अथवा अच्छी जवजनमािण प्रथाए ं के अनरूु प तलु नात् मक उपाय दकए िाए ाँ
और यह बात सभी सम् बद्ध मिीनरी, उपस्ट् कर, बतिनों और सतहों पर लागू होती ह।ै
(6) खाद्य कारबार आपरेटर को वेगन उत् पािों की तैयारी, उत् पािन अथवा पैकेजिंग स े पहले अच्छी
जवजनमािण प्रथाए ं के अनुसार उजचत सावधाजनयााँ बरतनी चाजहए।
(7) उनकी उत् पािक के स्ट्त र तक खोिनीयत सुजनजित की िाए और खाद्य कारोबारी खाद्य अथवा खाद्य
संघटकों अथवा उनके उत् पािों की वेगन प्रकृजत को बनाए रखने के जलए खाद्य प्राजधकरण द्वारा समय-समय पर जनधािटरत
अन् य अपेक्षाओं का पालन करेंगे।
(8) प्रत्येक वेगन फूड या सघं टक अजधजनयम, जनयमों और जवजनयमों के अंतगित लागू सभी संबंजधत उपबंधों
का पालन करेंगे।
4. लबे जलगं और प्रििनि अपक्षे ाए.ाँ - (1) वेगन फूड का जवक्रेता स्ट् वय ं म ें अथवा खुिरा कारोबार के अगं के रूप म ें ऐसे खाद्य
को दकसी गैर-वेगन स े ऐसी रीजत स े स्ट् टोर करेगा और उसका प्रििि करेगा दक उसकी पहचान स्ट्प ष्ट रूप स े हो सके।
(2) वेगन फूड के प्रत् यके पैकेि पर अनुमोिन पिात जनम्न जनर्िष्ि ट लोगो लगाया िाएगा:
(3) जवजनर्िष्टि अपेक्षाओं के अजतटरक् त सभी वेगन फूड, खाद्य सुरक्षा और मानक (लेबजलगं और प्रिििन) जवजनयम,
2020 के जवजनयम 5 के उप-जवजनयम (4) के खंड (ख) को छोड़कर उसम ें जवजहत सभी पैकेजिगं और लेबजलगं अपेक्षाओं का
अनुपालन करेंगे।
5. वगे न फूड अनपु ालन.- (1) खाद्य कारबार आपरेटर, संबंजधत अनुज्ञापन प्राजधकरण के समक्ष खाद्य प्राजधकरण द्वारा यथा
जवजहत प्ररूप म ेंसभी आवश् यक जववरणों के साथ आवेिन करेगा।
(2) खाद्य प्राजधकरण वेगन लोगो के अनुमोिन के जलए दििा-जनिेि िारी करेगा ।
(3) दकसी भी वेगन फूड उत्पािों का आयात नहीं दकया िाएगा, िब तक दक उसके साथ प्राजधकरण द्वारा जनर्िष्टि
प्रारूप म ेंजनयाितक ििे ों के मान्यता प्राप्त प्राजधकरणों द्वारा िारी प्रमाण पत्र स्ट्वीकार नहीं दकया िाता ह ैl
अरुण जसंघल, मुखय कायिकारी अजधकारी
[जवज्ञापन III/4/असा./116/2022-23][भाग III—खण् ड 4] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
FOOD SAFETY AND STANDARDS AUTHORITY OF INDIA
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the10th June, 2022
F. No. Std/TF-Vegan Foods/Notif./FSSAI- Whereas the draft of the Food Safety and Standards (Vegan
Foods) Regulations, 2021, were published as required by sub-section (1) of section 92 of the Food Safety and
Standards Act, 2006 (34 of 2006) vide notification of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, number F.
No. Std/TF-Vegan Foods/Notif./FSSAI, dated the 6th September, 2021, in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III,
Section 4, inviting objections and suggestions from all the persons likely to be affected thereby, before the expiry of
the period of sixty days from the date on which the copies of the Official Gazette containing the said notifications
were made available to the public;
And whereas the copies of the said Gazette were made available to the public on the 8th September, 2021;
And whereas the objections and suggestions received from the public in respect of the said draft regulations
have been considered by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India;
Now, therefore, in exercise of powers conferred by clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section 92 of the said Act
and with the previous approval of the Central Government, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India hereby
makes the following regulations, namely: -
1. Short title and commencement. - (1) These regulations may be called the Food Safety and Standards (Vegan
Foods) Regulations, 2022.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Definitions. - (1) In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires, -
(a) “vegan food” means the food or food ingredient, including additives, flavourings, enzymes and
carriers, or processing aids that are not products of animal origin and in which, at no stage of
production and processing, ingredients, including additives, flavourings, enzymes and carriers, or
processing aids that are of animal origin has been used.
(2) Words and expressions used herein and not defined but defined in the Act, or rules or regulations made
thereunder shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Act, rules or regulations, respectively.
3. General requirements. - (1) No person shall manufacture, pack, sell, offer for sale, market or otherwise distribute
or import any food as vegan food unless they comply with the requirements laid down under these regulations.
(2) The food products to be called vegan, shall not have involved animal testing for any purpose including
safety evaluation, unless provided by any Regulatory Authority.
(3) Every packaging material used for vegan foods shall comply with the provisions of the packaging
regulations.
(4) The Food Business Operator shall ensure that all stages of production, processing and distribution shall be
designed to take the appropriate precautions in conformity with the Good Manufacturing Practices in such a way to
avoid the unintended presence of non-vegan substances.
(5) If the same production line is shared with non-vegan products or ingredients, thorough cleaning or
comparable measures in conformity with Good Manufacturing Practices shall be carried out before production of
vegan products commences and the same shall extend to all associated machinery, equipment, utensils and surfaces.
(6) The Food Business Operator shall take appropriate precautions in conformity with the Good
Manufacturing Practices before vegan products are prepared, produced or packaged.
(7) There shall be traceability established up to the manufacturer level and the Food Business Operator shall
comply with any other requirements specified by the Food Authority to maintain the vegan integrity of the foods or
food ingredients or products thereof from time to time.
(8) Every vegan food or ingredient shall comply with the relevant provisions, as applicable under the Act,
rules and regulations.4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4]
4. Labelling and display requirements. - (1) The seller of vegan food either exclusively or as part of retail
merchandise shall store and display such food in a manner distinguishable from non-vegan food.
(2) Every package of vegan foods, after the approval, shall carry the logo as specified below:
(3) In addition to the specified requirements, all vegan foods shall comply with the packaging and labelling
requirements specified under the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, except clause
(b) of sub regulation (4) of regulation 5.
5. Vegan food compliance. - (1) The Food Business Operator shall submit an application to the concerned licensing
authority with all necessary details in a format as may be specified by the Food Authority.
(2) The Food Authority may specify guidelines for approval of vegan logo.
(3) No vegan food products shall be imported except with a certificate issued by the recognised authorities of
the exporting countries in the format as specified by the Authority is accepted.
ARUN SINGHAL, Chief Executive Officer
[ADVT.-III/4/Exty./116/2022-23]
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.