The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) operationalised the regulation on food and health supplements, nutraceuticals, food for special dietary uses, foods for special medical purposes, functional foods and novel food recently. This came into effect after a long period of dialogue and deliberations between the apex regulator and industry stakeholders. As per the regulation, a period of a year was provided to FBOs to comply with the provisions of the regulation. The enforcement shall commence in January 2018. In the interim period, the industry will need to work closely with FSSAI to ensure a smooth transition to the new regime. The industry appreciated the decision but laid staunch emphasis to fast-track the deliberation of missing ingredients which will have a larger impact on the industry. In the deliberations, the facts and evidences over usage of the ingredients or ingredients in the products in India which are missed out from this direction will be displayed before FSSAI’s scientific panel. This will include stating the usage of ingredients or ingredients in products, relative global standards where it is allowed and reports from all over the globe to support the safety of the ingredients or ingredients in the products.

(FNB News)