Ayush Ministry Collaborates With FSSAI For New Food Regulation Based On Ayurveda
Mumbai, 14 Feb 2020:
The Union Ayush Ministry has collaborated with Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) to bring in new food regulation based on Ayurveda. This will be called as Ayurveda 'Aahar' regulation.
The food safety regulator FSSAI has been of the view that, given the long-standing tradition of Ayurveda foods in the country, this segment should come under the purview of the food safety regulator and such products should not make therapeutic claims.
The ministry has also constituted a working group with the experts from the Ministry, FSSAI, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Ayurveda industry. The committee had several meeting and has come up with lists of plant to be used exclusively as food as food and medicine and to be used exclusively as medicine with intended use.
This new regulation is currently being developed in the food supplements regulatory framework for the purpose of spreading goodness of Ayurveda among the masses.
''As part of the new regulation, provisions under the regulatory framework would be made for the method of preparation of various category of foods as described in classics, innovatory and tailor made recipes. This move would be beneficial for common man in the country and across the globe. This will be helpful for the growth of Ayurveda segment and enhance international acceptability of such products'', as per the notice issued by Union Ayush Ministry.
The plants listed by the Ministry have been drawn from the existing Schedule IV of Food Safety and Standards Regulations. A list of items to be used as Additives as detailed in Schedule VA & VE of Food Safety and Standards Regulations is also being recommended for Ayurveda food.
FSSAI has already implemented in 2018 a comprehensive regulation that prescribes standards for food and health supplements, nutraceuticals, foods for special dietary uses, for special medical purpose and functional and novel food.
The Schedule IV of this regulation specifies permitted levels of plant or botanical ingredients in supplements and nutraceutical products. Pharmabiz