Lok Sabha Question No. 61 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Complex Regulatory Environment faced by the FPI
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Y S Avinash Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 61

ANSWERED ON 29 TH  JANUARY, 2026

## COMPLEX REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT FACED BY THE FPI

## 61. SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry is  aware of the complex regulatory  environment faced by  the Food Processing Industry (FPI) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  streamline  compliance  processes for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs);
- (c) whether any discussions are underway to introduce a single-window clearance system for the food processing sector and if so, the expected timeline for its implementation; and
- (d) the challenges posed by multiple agencies such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  and  State-level  bodies  along  with  the  efforts made by the Ministry to harmonize regulatory standards across States?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

(a) to (d): The regulatory matters in respect of food safety and standards are handled by Food Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  under  the  administrative  control  of  M/o Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

A High Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms under the Chairmanship  of  Member,  NITI  Aayog  has  been  constituted  vide  Cabinet  Secretariat's Notification dated 19.08.2025.  This Committee is mandated to review non-financial sector regulations, certifications, licenses, and permissions, pertaining to the Union Government, with the  objective  of  developing  a  modern,  flexible,  people  friendly,  and  trust  based  regulatory framework appropriate for 21 st Century,  and  unlocking  productivity  and  employment.   The Committee  had  a  meeting  with  FSSAI/MoHFW  along  with  Ministry  of  Food  Processing Industries (MoFPI) on 6 th September 2025 and deliberated on regulatory issues and challenges faced by the Food Processing Industries.

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 and FSSAI standards are uniform across the country.

While FSSAI, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is responsible for laying down science-based standards and ensuring overall coordination, the State Food Safety Authorities  are  primarily  responsible  for  enforcement  at  the  field  level.  In  order  to  ensure uniformity  in  the  implementation  of  harmonized  and  effective  food  safety  enforcement mechanisms across all states, the FSSAI coordinates with the State Food Safety Authorities and has following key measures in place:

- i. Regular  training  programs  for  Food  Safety  Officers  (FSOs),  Designated  Officers (DOs), and laboratory personnel ensures standardized practices across the states.
- ii. One stop online platforms like the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) and the Indian Food Laboratory Network (INFoLNet)  are unanimously being used by all the states/UTS,  to  facilitate  real-time  data  maintenance  &  effective  monitoring  by  the enforcement authorities. These platforms ensure uniformity across the nation in respect of enforcement action taken.
- iii. Regular engagement with State Food Safety Commissioners through Central Advisory Committee  meetings  (held  quarterly)  for reviewing  the status  of  enforcement machinery and proper implementation of food safety measures.  The Central Advisory Committee ensures close cooperation between the Food Authority and the enforcement agencies and organisations operating in the field of food.

Further, FSSAI has also taken steps from time to time to streamline its Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) which is a specialized portal for food licensing. Steps have also been taken to integrate with the National Single Window System (NSWS) platform, established by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to enhance investor convenience.

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