May 12:Ministry of Ayush and Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under MoHFW, India’s apex body for food regulation has formulated regulations of safety & quality standards for food products under the ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ category. This comprehensive initiative will ensure the manufacturing of quality Ayurveda food products and help in expanding the international market for Make-In-India products. The Ministry of Ayush is confident these regulations will further strengthen India’s global positioning as a custodian of the Ayush system.
According to the regulation, manufacturing, and marketing of ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ products will now adhere to strict Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Sahara) Regulations, 2022 rules and will be available in the market only after license/approval from FSSAI. A special logo has been created for the “Ayurveda Sahara” category, which will enable easier identification and reinforce the quality of Ayurveda food products.
The Ministry of Ayush has an understanding that food safety and quality is a shared responsibility between manufacturers, and consumers, and everyone has a role to play to ensure the food we consume is safe and healthy. This has been further strengthened after the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic brought the focus on food, nutrition, health, immunity, and sustainability.
According to the regulations, all food prepared in accordance with the recipes/ingredients/processes described in the authoritative books of Ayurveda will be considered “Ayurveda Aahara”. Food recipes and ingredients for promoting health, specific physiological needs, and foods specified for consumption during or post specified diseases, and disorders referred to as Pathya in Ayurved are covered under these regulations.
The labeling of ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ shall specify the intended purpose, the target consumer group, recommended duration of use, and other specific requirements. Health claims and disease risk reduction claims for the different categories of ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ and their approval process shall be in accordance with the requirements specified in regulations. However, ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ will not include Ayurvedic drugs or proprietary Ayurvedic medicines and medicinal products, cosmetics, narcotic or psychotropic substances, and herbs. Further, Ayurveda Sahara is also not recommended for young children below the age of 2 years.
‘Ayurveda Aahara’ needs prior approval, the same shall be in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specific Food and Food Ingredients) Regulation, 2017. FSSAI shall constitute an Expert Committee under the Ministry of Ayush consisting of relevant experts including representatives of FSSAI for providing recommendations on approval of claims and products and the committee shall also empower to address concerns regarding registration or licensing or certification or laboratory accreditation or testing or quality issues related to “Ayurveda Aahara”.
Food business operators to adhere to quality parameters for the ingredients as per the criteria defined under Food Safety and Standards Regulations, and relevant BIS specifications.
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