FSSAI Notifies Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Amendment Regulations, 2026: Key Changes Explained

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a formal notification amending the Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Regulations, 2011. This amendment, carried out with prior approval of the Central Government, was published on 14th September, 2026, and will come into effect on 1st April, 2027. The changes introduce structured timelines for sample analysis, updated reporting mechanisms, revised provisions on sample quantity for unspecified products, and a new framework for permissible methods of analysis.

Background and Legislative Basis

The amendment process was initiated when FSSAI published a draft of the proposed regulations on 17th February, 2025, in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4. This was done in compliance with sub-section (1) of Section 92 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (34 of 2006), which mandates public consultation before finalising regulatory amendments.

Copies of the draft were made available to the public from 20th February, 2025, and objections and suggestions were invited from stakeholders within sixty days. After due consideration of the responses received, FSSAI exercised powers under clause (e) of sub-section (2) of Section 92 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to finalise and notify the present amendment.

The principal regulations — the Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Regulations, 2011 — were originally published on 1st August, 2011, and were last amended on 15th October, 2020.

Summary of Key Amendments

The amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Regulations, 2011 covers the following critical areas:

1. Revised Reporting Procedure Under Regulation 2.3.1

The amendment substitutes clause 2 of sub-regulation 2.3.1 of Regulation 2.3. The revised clause now reads as follows:

"2. After test or analysis, the certificate thereof duly signed by the Director of the Referral Food Laboratory or the report signed by the Food Analyst shall be supplied forthwith to the sender in Forms XI or VII A respectively as specified under the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011."

This substitution establishes a clearer obligation on both Referral Food Laboratories and Food Analysts to dispatch results promptly, specifying the applicable forms under the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011. The use of Form XI applies to certificates from Referral Food Laboratories, while Form VII A applies to reports issued by Food Analysts.

2. Amended Proviso on Quantity of Sample for Unspecified Products

Clause 4 of sub-regulation 2.3.1 has been modified with respect to the second proviso. The revised proviso states:

"Provided further that in case of the unspecified products, the quantity drawn shall be as per the guidelines issued by Food Authority from time to time."