FSSAI, Ayush Ministry discussing regulations for Ayurvedic foods

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush is exploring the possibility of setting standards for Ayurvedic Ahaar, traditional Ayurvedic foods, as a separate category.

Speaking on the sidelines of a CII event, Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI, said, “We are in discussions with the Ministry of Ayush to explore various possibilities and looking at whether there can be standards for Ayurvedic Ahaar as a separate category in the food supplements regulatory framework. These standards could either be part of food supplements and nutraceutical regulations or we could look at having a separate set of regulations for Ayurvedic Ahaar.”

He added that this will help to grow this segment and increase international acceptability of such products.

FSSAI has already implemented in 2018 a comprehensive regulation that prescribes standards for food and health supplements, nutraceuticals, foods for special dietary uses, for special medical purpose and functional and novel food. The Schedule IV of this regulation specifies the permitted levels of plant or botanical ingredients in supplements and nutraceutical products.

The food safety regulator has been of the view that, given the long-standing tradition of Ayurveda foods in the country, this segment should come under the purview of the food safety regulator and such products should not make therapeutic claims.

On alcoholic beverages

Meanwhile, on concerns raised by microbreweries on recently notified regulations, Agarwal said, “All standards are notified after following the process of consultation with stakeholders. After the final notification, the industry is given some transition time, before the regulations are enforced. During this time, if there are some practical difficulties being faced by the industry in implementing the regulations, we look at such issues.”

He added, “Standards for alcoholic beverages, which will come into effect from April 1, are based on the recommendations of a Scientific Panel. So, we will look into the issues raised by the industry. We will also look at the international standards in this sector.”