FSSAI Draft Amendment 2026: Revised Eligibility Criteria for Food Safety Auditors Under Food Safety Auditing Regulations
Background and Overview
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken a significant regulatory step by releasing draft amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Food Safety Auditing) Regulations, 2018. The notification, bearing reference number F. No. RCD-02002/1/2025-Regulatory-FSSAI and dated 21st May 2026, was published in the Official Gazette inviting public feedback on proposed changes that directly affect the eligibility framework for practising food safety auditors across India.
These amendments, once finalised, will reshape who qualifies as a food safety auditor in India by tightening academic, certification, and field experience requirements under Regulation 3(1)(c) of the principal regulations. The move signals FSSAI's intent to raise auditing standards within the food industry to align with internationally recognised benchmarks.
Legal Framework and Authority
The draft amendments have been proposed by FSSAI in exercise of powers conferred under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 16 read with section 44 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (34 of 2006). The publication of the draft for public comment is mandated under sub-section (1) of section 92 of the same Act.
The principal regulations were originally published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4, vide notification number F. No. TPA/01/REG/FSSAI-2017, dated 28th August, 2018.
The proposed regulations shall formally be referred to as the Food Safety and Standards (Food Safety Auditing) Amendment Regulations, 2026.
Public Consultation Window
FSSAI has opened a sixty-day consultation period from the date on which copies of the Official Gazette carrying this notification become available to the public. All stakeholders, industry bodies, individuals, and organisations likely to be impacted by these changes are encouraged to submit their objections or suggestions within this timeframe.
Responses may be directed to:
- Postal Address: Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi – 110002
- Email: regulation@fssai.gov.in
All submissions received within the stipulated period will be duly considered by FSSAI before the amendments are finalised.
Key Proposed Changes to Regulation 3(1)(c)
The core of the amendment lies in the substitution of three sub-clauses within Regulation 3(1)(c) of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Safety Auditing) Regulations, 2018. Each substitution addresses a distinct eligibility parameter.