FSSAI proposes draft regulations on food safety

On 20 February, the FSSAI proposed amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. The draft regulations are open for public comments until 20 April 2025. 

Sugar, fat and sodium warnings
Under the new labelling rules, packaged foods must boldly display the percentage contribution to Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium in a larger font size. This change, inserted into Regulation 5(3)(b), ensures critical nutritional information is prominently visible, empowering consumers to make informed dietary choices.

Mandatory milk logo
All milk and milk-based products—including composite items like ice cream or cheese—must now feature a standardised milk logo on packaging. The logo’s dimensions and design align with specifications under the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, reinforcing authenticity and traceability in dairy products.

Front-of-Pack labels for coffee-chicory blends
Instant coffee-chicory mixtures or blended packages must declare the percentage of coffee and chicory content on the front of the pack within a rectangular box using capital letters. This amendment to Schedule II (2.2) targets transparency for a product category often criticised for ambiguous ingredient ratios.

Faster lab testing timelines
Amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Regulations, 2025 introduce strict deadlines for food testing. Labs must issue reports within 14 days; delays require written explanations to authorities. Labs can now adopt internationally recognised methods (e.g., AOAC, ISO, Codex) if FSSAI manuals lack specific protocols.

Maximum residue level for pesticides
FSSAI is also mulling to soon notify 98 Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for pesticides in spices—a significant jump from the current 18 standards. Officials confirmed the guidelines, pending final approval from the Prime Minister’s Office, address long-standing industry challenges, such as chillies and cumin, which are flagged as crops with the highest pesticide use.

The big picture
Parallelly, reports of using low-grade plastics—which release toxic substances like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates when exposed to high heat—in the steaming process of idlis have caused a stir. The FSSAI directed Karnataka's State Food Safety Department to investigate and urged action against any establishments violating regulations. FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao has said, "The use of low-quality or non-food-grade plastics in food preparation, particularly under high temperatures, poses a serious health risk."

After multiple reports of fake paneer being used by establishments, FSSAI announced a comprehensive nationwide food safety assessment for paneer, which is expected to be released in a month. All state food safety commissioners are tasked with collecting five specific samples: two packed, two loose, and one milk analogue.