FSSAI mandates scientific proof for food standards from Jan 2026

India's food regulator FSSAI is shifting from assurances to hard science. From January 1, 2026, any request to introduce, review, or revise food standards must be backed by robust scientific data in a standardised format. Companies will now bear the burden of proof, as FSSAI scrutinises nutrition, consumption patterns, toxicity, and allergy risks before granting approvals.