,"The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has officially released the Food Safety and Standards (Import) First Amendment Regulations, 2025, introducing key changes to analytical methods and laboratory reporting procedures for imported food consignments. The notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4.
Background
A draft of the amendment regulations was earlier published on 3 October 2024, inviting public comments within 60 days from the date the Gazette became publicly available. The copies were issued on 7 October 2024, as per the document. FSSAI reviewed all objections and suggestions received before finalizing the amendments.
Key Amendments
1. Updated Provision on Method of Analysis (Regulation 10(4)(b))
FSSAI has replaced the earlier clause with a new comprehensive requirement:
Mandatory Use of FSSAI’s Method Manuals:
Laboratories must analyse imported food samples using analysis manuals amended or adopted by FSSAI from time to time.
Fallback to Internationally Validated Methods:
If a required test method is not available in FSSAI manuals, laboratories may use validated methods prescribed by internationally recognized regulatory agencies, including:
AOAC
ISO
Pearson’s
Jacob
IUPAC
Food Chemicals Codex
BIS
Codex Alimentarius
Woodmen
Winton–Winton
Joslyn
or any other globally recognized agency.
The new regulations will come into force on 1 May 2026. The earlier provision has been substituted with a stricter reporting requirement:
Notified or referral laboratories must issue the analysis report in FORM-2 within 5 days from the date of receiving the sample.
The report must be duly signed by the Food Analyst or Director of the laboratory.
This amendment is expected to reduce delays in the clearance process for imported food consignments.
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