FSSAI Mandates Science for Food Safety Reviews from Jan 2026: No More 'Trust Us'

• FSSAI will require scientific proof for food product safety reviews and standard changes starting January 1, 2026.
• Submissions must include nutritional data, Indian consumption patterns, toxicological studies, safe intake limits, and allergy risks.
• Expert panels will assess these submissions, deciding on product clearance, restriction, or tighter limits.
• The new rule applies when stakeholders seek risk assessment for new or existing products; it's not an automatic re-examination of all foods.
• The move aims to protect public health by focusing on India-specific eating habits, potentially increasing compliance costs for companies.

Why It Matters: FSSAI's new rule mandates scientific evidence for food safety from Jan 2026, ensuring safer food for Indians.