Shubhendu Shukla, Nawanshahr (Punjab): In a major move to ensure food quality and enable swift action against adulteration, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a strict timeline for the testing of food samples.
The Central Government has issued a Gazette notification prescribing a fixed deadline for food sample testing. Under the new rules, food laboratories will now have to submit their final testing reports within 14 days of receiving food samples.
For food products imported from other countries, the stipulated timeline is even shorter—just five days.
The Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Amendment Regulations, 2026 were published in the Gazette of India on September 15, 2026. The new regulations will come into force across the country from April 1, 2027.
According to the Gazette notification, if a Food Analyst or referral laboratory is unable to complete the analysis of a sample within the prescribed period—14 days for domestic products and five days for imported products—the delay will not be automatically exempted. The analyst will be required to provide written information to the concerned authority and the Food Safety Commissioner, clearly stating the additional time required and the specific reasons for the delay.
The new Regulation 2.5 also specifies the methods to be followed for food analysis.
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Food testing will primarily be conducted in accordance with the manuals issued by FSSAI from time to time. Once the analysis is completed, the duly signed report must be sent immediately by the director of the referral laboratory or the Food Analyst.
Tighter Control on Adulteration, Relief for Food Businesses
At present, food sample testing reports can sometimes take weeks or even months to arrive, allowing substandard or adulterated products to remain in the market for extended periods.
The implementation of a strict 14-day deadline is expected to enable state food safety departments to take quicker action against violations and strengthen enforcement against food adulteration.
For imported food products, the five-day reporting timeline is also expected to speed up food clearance procedures at ports. This could reduce the risk of products deteriorating while awaiting testing and provide greater relief to importers involved in international food trade.
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