Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Former FSSAI Director Warns Regulator Has Not Kept Up
India’s food-safety law was put into practice in 2011.
At first, there were six regulations.
Later, the number grew to 22.
Rules for health supplements and nutraceuticals were not available until 2016.
A former FSSAI director said this created problems for the regulator.
The director said the regulator should help businesses while also keeping food safe.
Food officers should protect food safety as part of their jobs.
The director also referred to a section of the food-safety law that should guide their work.
The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 was implemented in India on August 5, 2011.
The framework began with six regulations and has since expanded to 22 regulations.
Regulations covering health supplements and nutraceuticals were not in place until December 23, 2016.
The former director said the regulator had to address problems while facilitating industry and ensuring food safety.
The former director said food officers should act as custodians of food safety, guided by Section 18(1)(d).
- Who
- A former director of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and food officers.
- What
- The former director discussed the growth of food-safety regulations and risks from regulatory gaps.
- When
- The law was implemented on August 5, 2011; health-supplement and nutraceutical regulations were in place by December 23, 2016.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The regulator was expected to facilitate industry while ensuring safe food and protecting food safety.
- Law
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
- Implementation date
- August 5, 2011
- Initial regulations
- 6
- Current regulations mentioned
- 22
- Health supplement rules
- Regulations were not in place until December 23, 2016
- Regulatory objective
- Facilitate industry while ensuring safe food
- Relevant provision
- Section 18(1)(d) of the FSSAI Act, 2006