Ayush Ministry Allows Dual Manufacturing of ASU and FSSAI-Licensed Food Products
In a recent development, the Ministry of Ayush has provided clarity regarding the manufacturing of food products licensed under the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) alongside Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani (ASU) products. This clarification responds to inquiries from companies seeking approval to produce both Ayush and FSSAI-regulated products within the same manufacturing facilities.
The Ministry, in an office memorandum, emphasized that there is no explicit prohibition against using a combined setup for manufacturing ASU and FSSAI-licensed products as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and its associated rules. Furthermore, the FSSAI, which operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), has not issued any directives restricting the manufacturing of FSSAI-regulated food products in premises where Ayush products are being produced.
However, to ensure the safety and quality of these products, the Ministry of Ayush has laid down certain conditions. It stipulates that ASU facilities can be utilized for the manufacturing of food products licensed under FSSAI, provided that manufacturing companies take appropriate precautions to prevent cross-contamination, as outlined in Schedule T of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
This clarification follows a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Ayush and FSSAI, which began last year with the formulation of regulations on safety and quality standards for food products falling under the ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ category. This initiative aims to enhance the production of high-quality Ayurveda food products and expand the international market for ‘Make-In-India’ goods.
Under these regulations, ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ products must adhere to the strict Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahara) Regulations, 2022, and can only be sold after obtaining a license or approval from FSSAI. A distinct logo has been designed for the “Ayurveda Aahara” category to facilitate easy identification and ensure the quality of Ayurveda food products.
The regulations specify that any food prepared according to the recipes, ingredients, and processes described in authoritative Ayurveda texts will fall under the “Ayurveda Aahara” category. This includes foods meant for health promotion, specific physiological needs, and those recommended for consumption during or after particular diseases or disorders, known as “Pathya” in Ayurveda.
Labeling requirements for ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ products will include information about their intended purpose, target consumer group, recommended duration of use, and other specific details. Health claims and disease risk reduction claims for these products will follow established regulations.
However, it’s important to note that ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ does not encompass Ayurvedic drugs, proprietary Ayurvedic medicines, medicinal products, cosmetics, narcotic or psychotropic substances, or herbs. These products are also not recommended for young children below the age of two.
For the approval of ‘Ayurveda Aahara,’ the Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specific Food and Food Ingredients) Regulation, 2017, will apply. FSSAI will form an Expert Committee under the Ministry of Ayush, comprising relevant experts, including FSSAI representatives. This committee will provide recommendations on the approval of claims and products, as well as address concerns related to registration, licensing, certification, laboratory accreditation, testing, and quality issues concerning ‘Ayurveda Aahara.’
This development aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure the quality and safety of food products and promote the ‘Make-In-India’ initiative in the international market.
