FSSAI Rules for Organic Food & Health Supplements

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) maintains control over food businesses through its responsibility of consumer safety and regulation of food laws. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India established particular regulatory standards which all businesses producing organic food and health supplements must follow. Knowledge of these FSSAI rules is essential for acquiring an FSSAI license and ensuring full regulatory compliance.

FSSAI Regulations for Organic Food Businesses

Organic food certification requires strict compliance with FSSAI regulations to enforce authenticity and transparency standards. All organic food products need to meet the criteria established by the Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations of 2017. Organic farming standards, including the prohibition of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, form the basis of regulations verifying the proper use of ‘organic’ labels on food products.

Organic Food Certification Under FSSAI

To legally market organic food in India, businesses must obtain an organic certification from one of the two recognized certification systems:

• National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) – Overseen by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
• Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India) – Managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

In addition to complying with FSSAI organic standards, organic food manufacturers must provide the necessary documentation for certification

FSSAI Organic Standards

The key FSSAI organic standards include:

• Organic labeling norms that mandate clear identification of organic status.
• Prohibition of synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and chemical fertilizers.
• Maintaining records of organic farming practices and supply chain traceability.

FSSAI Labeling Requirements for Organic Food Products

FSSAI enforces labeling guidelines for organic food, but the certification process is overseen by APEDA (for NPOP) and the Ministry of Agriculture (for PGS-India) to prevent misrepresentation and fraud. Labels must include:

• The “Jaivik Bharat” logo for certified organic products.
• Details of certification, including the certifying body’s name and license number.
• A list of organic ingredients and nutritional information.

How to Register Organic Food Products Under FSSAI

Apply for FSSAI certification by submitting an online application through the Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS).

Provide documentation, including an organic certification from NPOP or PGS-India.

Ensure compliance with organic labeling norms and FSSAI food safety standards.

Undergo an inspection to verify compliance with organic food certification requirements.

Obtain FSSAI approval and license for selling organic food.

FSSAI Rules for Health Supplements

All health supplements, including nutraceuticals, vitamins, and dietary products, must meet the requirements outlined in the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Foods, and Novel Foods) Regulations, 2022.

Nutraceutical Compliance Under FSSAI

FSSAI ensures that health supplements meet specific quality and safety standards. Businesses must:

• Use only FSSAI-approved ingredients for health supplements.
• Ensure that the supplements do not contain harmful additives or excessive levels of nutrients.
• Follow FSSAI food safety guidelines for production and distribution.

How to Get an FSSAI License for Health Supplements

Determine the category of health supplements under FSSAI guidelines.

Submit an application through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS).

Provide ingredient details and evidence of compliance with nutraceutical standards.

Pass inspections and laboratory testing for safety verification.

Receive an FSSAI license for health supplement production and sale.

Supplement Approval Process

Not all health supplements require pre-market approval from FSSAI unless they contain novel ingredients or additives that are not on the approved list. This includes:

• Safety assessments of ingredients and composition.
• All packaging must comply with FSSAI guidelines to ensure accurate product information display.
• Approval of health claims and nutritional information.

FSSAI Safety Guidelines for Nutraceuticals and Supplements

To maintain consumer safety, FSSAI has outlined strict guidelines for nutraceutical compliance:

• Clear labeling of active ingredients and recommended daily dosage.
• Restrictions on misleading health claims.
• The legislation bans the use of hazardous substances and unapproved ingredients in food products.

Packaging and Labeling Rules for Organic Food Under FSSAI

FSSAI’s packaging and labeling rules for organic food include:

•  The use of tamper-proof packaging helps to stop contamination during distribution.
•  Certification logos together with license numbers must appear prominently on products.
• Clear mention of organic certification status on the label.

FSSAI Penalties for Non-Compliance in Organic Food Businesses

Failure to comply with FSSAI regulations can lead to penalties, including:

• Fines of up to ₹5 lakhs for misbranding organic food.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has the authority to revoke business licenses for violations of organic standards.
• People may face legal consequences for presenting false information in health supplement and organic product advertisements.

Latest FSSAI Updates for Health Supplements and Organic Food

FSSAI regularly updates regulations to enhance food safety. Recent updates include:

• Synthetic additives are already prohibited in organic food, but FSSAI has updated traceability requirements and residue testing standards.
• The authorities implemented revised criteria to determine which substances could be used in health supplements.
• FSSAI already mandates that imported organic food must be certified under equivalence agreements with recognized foreign organic certification bodies to prevent deceptive claims from entering the market.

Compliance Checklist for Organic Food Certification

To ensure full compliance with FSSAI regulations, businesses must:

•  To operate as an organic establishment, obtain certification from NPOP or PGS-India.
• A license specific to organic food can be obtained through the FSSAI system. Organic food businesses need to follow all mandatory rules for packaging and labeling set by FSSAI.
• The business must maintain documentation of its organic farming process and material procurement details.
• You must keep up to date about the most recent FSSAI standards related to organic food items together with health supplements.

Conclusion

The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations work to secure food safety standards which build trust from consumers regarding organic products and health supplements. A business needs to follow FSSAI certification requirements and packaging rules and organic food certification guidelines for obtaining legal and ethical operation permissions. The adherence to current FSSAI updates enables businesses to function without issues while establishing trust among customers regarding their organic and nutraceutical offerings.