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Food
FSSAI Introduces Stricter Standards for Perishable Food Across India
✍️ Nagaland Post
🗓 20 Oct 2026, 03:17 AM
👁 14
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has announced tighter regulations for the handling, storage and labeling of perishable food items nationwide.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued new guidelines that tighten controls over perishable food items such as dairy, meat, seafood and ready‑to‑eat products. The move is aimed at reducing spoilage, preventing food‑borne illnesses and ensuring uniform labeling across the supply chain.
Under the revised norms, manufacturers, processors and retailers must adopt temperature‑controlled logistics, use approved packaging materials and display clear "use‑by" dates on all perishable products. Certification for compliance will be required before the standards take effect.
FSSAI has set a compliance timeline and announced that routine inspections will be carried out to verify adherence. Entities that fail to meet the requirements may face penalties, including fines or suspension of licences.
Industry associations have welcomed the emphasis on consumer safety but caution that upgrading cold‑chain infrastructure could raise costs for small operators. The authority has indicated that guidance and support mechanisms will be made available to ease the transition.
The updated standards arrive as India's market for perishable foods continues to expand, making robust food‑safety measures a priority for public health officials.
Under the revised norms, manufacturers, processors and retailers must adopt temperature‑controlled logistics, use approved packaging materials and display clear "use‑by" dates on all perishable products. Certification for compliance will be required before the standards take effect.
FSSAI has set a compliance timeline and announced that routine inspections will be carried out to verify adherence. Entities that fail to meet the requirements may face penalties, including fines or suspension of licences.
Industry associations have welcomed the emphasis on consumer safety but caution that upgrading cold‑chain infrastructure could raise costs for small operators. The authority has indicated that guidance and support mechanisms will be made available to ease the transition.
The updated standards arrive as India's market for perishable foods continues to expand, making robust food‑safety measures a priority for public health officials.