No more 'trust us': India's food regulator says new food products will undergo stricter, science-backed checks

Key Highlights

• This means providing:Detailed nutritional informationData on how much of the product people actually eatToxicity study resultsAllergy risk detailsOther supporting scientific researchThese filings won’t just sit on a desk.
• They’ll be reviewed by Fssai’s Science and Standards Division, and independent expert panels will help decide whether a product can be approved, continued, restricted, or subject to tighter limits. More from India New HAL bird in the sky: Made-in-India Dhruv NG multi-role helicopter takes maiden flight Indian equities seen scaling fresh highs by mid-2026 as domestic money trumps foreign outflowsWhy this mattersUntil now, companies could approach the regulator with assurances about safety backed mostly by overseas studies or general claims.
• With packaged foods becoming more common in Indian diets, regulators want to make sure food products are evaluated using data that reflects Indian consumption and exposure levels, not just foreign research or assumptions.“This is an important step to protect public health… Since Indian food habits, portion sizes and sensitivities are very different from those in other countries, asking for proper proof about long-term safety… helps make food rules more practical, science-based and safer for Indian consumers,” dietician Anjali Bhola told TOI. Quick ReadsView AllNew HAL bird in the sky: Made-in-India Dhruv NG multi-role helicopter takes maiden flight‘Affordable AI for every Indian’: Mukesh Ambani unveils Reliance blueprint to transform Indian economy, societyFor everyday shoppers, the change doesn’t mean an immediate overhaul of what’s on the shelves.
• Foods already available won’t be automatically rechecked just because of this rule shift. But for food makers, it’s a big deal.
• Building India-specific evidence packs could raise compliance costs and slow approval timelines.