FSSAI Draft Amendment Regulations 2026: Standards for Minor Seed Oils, Edible Seeds, and New Food Additive in Grape Wine
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has published a draft notification proposing significant amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. The draft, issued on 21st May, 2026, seeks to introduce regulatory recognition and quality benchmarks for a category of oils collectively termed "Minor Seed Oils", establish comprehensive standards for edible seeds intended for direct human consumption, and permit a new food additive in grape wine. Stakeholders have been given a window of sixty days from the date of Gazette publication to submit their objections or suggestions.
Background and Regulatory Authority
FSSAI has exercised its powers under clause (e) of sub-section (2) of section 92 read with section 16 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (34 of 2006), along with sub-section (1) of section 92 of the said Act, to publish this draft for public consultation. The amendment, once finalised, will be formally titled the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2026.
The parent regulations — the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 — were originally notified vide F. No. 2-15015/30/2010 dated 1st August, 2011, and were last amended through notification number F.No. STD/43-FA-Notifications/2024 dated 10th July, 2025.
Objections and suggestions may be forwarded to the Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi – 110002, or submitted electronically at regulation@fssai.gov.in.
Key Proposals Under the Draft Amendment
The draft introduces three distinct regulatory additions, each targeting a separate gap in the existing food standards framework.
1. Introduction of Sub-Regulation 2.2.10 – Minor Seed Oils
A new sub-regulation 2.2.10 is proposed to be inserted in regulation 2.2 of the principal regulations, immediately after the existing sub-regulation 2.2.9 on "Solvent Extracted Crude Vegetable Oils (not for direct human consumption)". This new sub-regulation establishes standards for the following four oils:
- Chilli seed oil
- Muskmelon seed oil
- Okra seed oil
- Tomato seed oil
Description and Sourcing Requirements
The regulation specifies that these oils must be derived from clean, sound, and mature seeds of the respective plant species, using processing methods that do not compromise the inherent chemical and physical properties of the oil. The finished product must be:
- Clear and free from rancidity
- Free from adulterants, sediment, and suspended foreign matter
- Free from separated water
- Free from added colouring or flavouring substances
- Free from mineral oil
Quality Parameters
The prescribed standards distinguish between Cold Pressed and Virgin oils on one hand and Refined oils on the other: