The nation’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) officially announced on September 25 that food businesses operating in India will need to apply for licenses to produce and market traditional Ayurvedic foods starting from September 1.
Firms can do so via the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal.
What food businesses need to know
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) defines Ayurveda Aahara as foods that are prepared according to the recipes, ingredients, or processes as described in the authoritative books of Ayurveda.
This is a new category – KoB – where Ayurvedic food manufacturers across India will need to apply for a Central License at an annual fee of Rs7,500 (US$84.5).
The FSSAI Central License, issued from New Delhi, is mandatory for food firms with nationwide or overseas operations. It certifies compliance with national safety standards and comes with stricter regulatory scrutiny.
All other KoBs – such as trade, retail, or exporter – can apply for registration, State or Central Licenses under existing rules.
The FSSAI uploaded instructions for license application and an approved list of 91 Ayurveda Aahara on its website on July 25.
If a product is not included in the approved list, the firm must apply to FSSAI for its inclusion by submitting references from recognised Ayurvedic texts. Updates to the list will be issued separately. The FSSAI accepts queries via email.
According to FSSAI’s 2025 Penalty Chart, operating without any license can incur a fine of Rs 2 lakh (US$2,253.5) or imprisonment of up to six months.
This new set of regulations does not apply to Ayurvedic drugs or proprietary Ayurvedic herbs, medicinal products, narcotic or psychotropic substances.
It was developed in close collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush and “reflects the Government of India’s commitment to integrating the profound wisdom of Ayurveda with modern food safety practices, thereby benefiting both industry stakeholders and public health,” according to the September 25 PIB statement.
Regulations rooted in Ayurvedic principle of personalised nutrition
This latest regulatory move is designed to boost the food and Ayurveda industries by creating a regulated pathway for these products to reach the market.
“This regulation is rooted in the core Ayurvedic principle of personalised nutrition, which tailors diet to an individual’s specific constitution (prakriti),” wrote the PIB.
“By standardising these traditional formulations, the FSSAI measure is expected to support the growth of the food and Ayurveda industries. Furthermore, the availability of authentic and regulated Ayurveda Aahara will serve as a critical support for prescribed Ayurvedic treatment plans.”
FSSAI’s list of Ayurvedic foods include text citations of where each ingredient can be found in the Ayurvedic classics, detailed descriptions of the food format (“hard eatables”, “drinkables”, or “lickables”), the part that is used (such as fruit or root), the method of preparation, and the benefits of consuming the food.
The preparation of a “lickable” Jiraka Dadhi – cumin-flavoured curd – for instance, requires fruit and root to be finely ground into powder and added Q.S. (Quantum Satis, meaning ‘as needed’) to one portion of dadhi (curd).
The recipe describes Jiraka Dadhi as bitter, easy to digest, and can stimulate digestive fire, making it beneficial for diarrhoea. It also warns against consumption at night.
Although food firms must follow FSSAI’s standardised recipes, the element of personalisation remains central to Ayurveda. These recipes provide a safe, authentic base, while practitioners or consumers apply them selectively according to an individual’s health needs.
This reflects growing interest in traditional foods and personalised wellness in India and across the Asia Pacific.
Furthermore, there is untapped potential of Indian ingredients in the global market.
Importantly, this provides food businesses with a clear, pre-approved reference for manufacturing products under this new category, ensuring both authenticity and regulatory compliance, said the PIB.
