Lok Sabha Question No. 4605 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Regulation of Non-Specified Foods and Food Ingredients
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Mohammad Jawed, Shri Vijay Kumar Hansdak, Adv. Adoor Prakash, Shri Charanjit Singh Channi, Shri Karti P Chidambaram

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4605 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 th MARCH, 2026

## REGULATION OF NON-SPECIFIED FOODS AND FOOD INGREDIENTS

## 4605. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK:

SHRI KARTI P CHIDAMBARAM:

ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI:

## Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of applications submitted, approved, rejected and pending under the Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specified Food and Food Ingredients) Regulations, by Food Business Operators (FBOs) since 2020, year-wise;
- (b) the details of non-specified foods and food ingredients for which approval has been granted, including novel foods, proprietary foods, nutraceuticals, functional foods and imported products since 2020, category-wise and product-wise;
- (c) the details of approvals withdrawn, suspended or modified due to safety concerns since 2020, year-wise;
- (d) whether the Government has identified any challenges regarding delays, procedural or compliance issues faced by FBOs in obtaining approvals, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether any mechanism exists for periodic review and updation of relevant standards or provisions in light of emerging scientific evidence, new risk assessments, international best practices and food innovations and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO 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, 2006 is a shared responsibility between the Central and State Governments.

The details of non-specified foods and food ingredients which have been approved Rejected, Closed/Withdrawn since 2020 is available on the official website of FSSAI at the weblink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 promptly addressed, and the relevant information is communicated to them accordingly. To expedite the approval process for Non-Specified Foods (NSF), FSSAI has also established six Expert Committees.

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 including FBOs, 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.

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