FSSAI Approval for Non-Specified Food Products in India

FSSAI Approval for Non-Specified Food Products in India. India has one of the largest and most diverse food markets in the world. From traditional sweets to modern protein drinks, thousands of food products are sold every day. To keep food safe, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates all food items sold in the country. Most foods fall under standard categories such as dairy, bakery, edible oils, beverages, and packaged snacks.
However, some food products do not fit into any existing category. These are known as Non-Specified Food Products. Understanding this category is important for food startups, manufacturers, importers, and even sellers on online platforms.
This article explains what non-specified food products are, how they are regulated, and what businesses must do before selling them in India.
What Are Non-Specified Food Products?
Non-Specified Food Products are food items that are not covered under any existing FSSAI standard. This means there is no defined rule for their ingredients, composition, or quality under current food regulations.
These products are usually:

New in the Indian market

Based on foreign food formulas

Using new ingredients

Made with advanced food technology

Designed for special nutrition or health purposes

Since FSSAI has not yet defined standards for such products, they are treated separately to ensure public safety.
Why Does This Category Exist?
Food technology is growing fast. Every year, companies launch:

Plant-based foods

Protein supplements

Fortified drinks

Energy foods

Functional foods

Herbal blends

Imported nutrition products

Many of these products do not match traditional food categories. Without a special system, these products would either remain unregulated or get rejected. That is why FSSAI created the Non-Specified Food category.
It allows innovation while keeping safety checks in place.
Examples of Non-Specified Food Products
Some common examples include:

Protein bars and shakes not listed in FSSAI schedules

Imported health drinks

New types of energy foods

Herbal nutrition blends

Special diet foods

New sweeteners or plant extracts

Novel food ingredients

Functional beverages

Diet supplements that are not nutraceuticals

New plant-based food items

If a product does not match any FSSAI standard, it is treated as non-specified.
Why Approval Is Required
Non-Specified Food Products cannot be sold in India without FSSAI approval. This is because:

Their safety is not already established

Their ingredients may be new or uncommon

Their health effects are not officially recognized

FSSAI checks whether the product is safe for consumption before allowing it in the market.
What Is Product Approval?
Product approval is a special permission given by FSSAI for selling non-specified food products.
FSSAI reviews:

Ingredients used

Source of raw materials

Manufacturing process

Safety studies

Nutritional information

Label claims

If everything is found safe and acceptable, FSSAI grants approval.
Only after approval can the product be manufactured, imported, or sold in India.
Who Needs to Apply for Approval?
You need to apply for approval if you are:

Manufacturing a new food product

Importing a foreign food item

Selling a health or nutrition product not listed in FSSAI

Launching a new diet or wellness food

Creating food with new ingredients

Both Indian manufacturers and foreign importers must apply.
Documents Required for Non-Specified Food Approval
FSSAI generally asks for:

Product name and category

Ingredient list

Composition details

Manufacturing process

Safety data of ingredients

Shelf life information

Label and packaging design

Free sale certificate (for imported products)

Test reports from NABL labs

These documents help FSSAI check whether the product is safe.
Approval Process
The basic process includes:

Filing application on FSSAI portal

Uploading product and ingredient details

Submitting safety documents

Expert review by FSSAI

Additional queries, if any

Grant of approval

The process usually takes a few weeks to a few months depending on the product.
Why Many Applications Get Rejected
Common reasons for rejection include:

Unsafe or banned ingredients

Missing documents

Wrong labeling

False health claims

Lack of safety studies

Incomplete formulation

This is why professional guidance is very helpful.
Importance for Food Businesses
If you sell a non-specified food without approval:

Your product can be banned

You may face penalties

Import shipments may be stopped

Online platforms may delist your product

Proper approval builds trust and allows smooth business operations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is a non-specified food product?
Ans. It is a food item that does not fall under any standard category defined by FSSAI.
Q2. Can I sell non-specified food in India without approval?
Ans. No. FSSAI approval is mandatory before selling or importing such products.
Q3. Are protein supplements non-specified foods?
Ans. Some protein products are standard, but many advanced formulas fall under non-specified food.
Q4. Do imported foods need this approval?
Ans. Yes. If the imported food is not covered under FSSAI standards, approval is required.
Q5. Is herbal food also non-specified?
Ans. If the herbal food is not listed under FSSAI categories, it becomes non-specified.
Q6. How long does approval take?
Ans. It can take a few weeks to a few months depending on product complexity.
Q7. Can FSSAI reject my application?
Ans. Yes, if ingredients or documents are not satisfactory.
Q8. Can one approval be used for multiple products?
Ans. No. Each product and formulation requires separate approval.
Q9. Is labeling checked in this process?
Ans. Yes. FSSAI reviews packaging and label claims carefully.
Q10. Why should I take professional help?
Ans. Experts ensure correct documents, safety compliance, and faster approval, reducing rejection risk.

India has one of the largest and most diverse food markets in the world. From traditional sweets to modern protein drinks, thousands of food products are sold every day. To keep food safe, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates all food items sold in the country. Most foods fall under standard categories such as dairy, bakery, edible oils, beverages, and packaged snacks.

However, some food products do not fit into any existing category. These are known as Non-Specified Food Products. Understanding this category is important for food startups, manufacturers, importers, and even sellers on online platforms.

This article explains what non-specified food products are, how they are regulated, and what businesses must do before selling them in India.

What Are Non-Specified Food Products?

Non-Specified Food Products are food items that are not covered under any existing FSSAI standard. This means there is no defined rule for their ingredients, composition, or quality under current food regulations.

These products are usually:

New in the Indian market
Based on foreign food formulas
Using new ingredients
Made with advanced food technology
Designed for special nutrition or health purposes

Since FSSAI has not yet defined standards for such products, they are treated separately to ensure public safety.

Why Does This Category Exist?

Food technology is growing fast. Every year, companies launch:

Plant-based foods
Protein supplements
Fortified drinks
Energy foods
Functional foods
Herbal blends
Imported nutrition products

It allows innovation while keeping safety checks in place.

Examples of Non-Specified Food Products

Some common examples include:

Protein bars and shakes not listed in FSSAI schedules
Imported health drinks
New types of energy foods
Herbal nutrition blends
Special diet foods
New sweeteners or plant extracts
Novel food ingredients
Functional beverages
Diet supplements that are not nutraceuticals
New plant-based food items

If a product does not match any FSSAI standard, it is treated as non-specified.

Why Approval Is Required

Non-Specified Food Products cannot be sold in India without FSSAI approval. This is because:

Their safety is not already established
Their ingredients may be new or uncommon
Their health effects are not officially recognized

FSSAI checks whether the product is safe for consumption before allowing it in the market.

What Is Product Approval?

Product approval is a special permission given by FSSAI for selling non-specified food products.

FSSAI reviews:

Ingredients used
Source of raw materials
Manufacturing process
Safety studies
Nutritional information
Label claims

If everything is found safe and acceptable, FSSAI grants approval.

Only after approval can the product be manufactured, imported, or sold in India.

Who Needs to Apply for Approval?

You need to apply for approval if you are:

Manufacturing a new food product
Importing a foreign food item
Selling a health or nutrition product not listed in FSSAI
Launching a new diet or wellness food
Creating food with new ingredients

Both Indian manufacturers and foreign importers must apply.

Documents Required for Non-Specified Food Approval

FSSAI generally asks for:

Product name and category
Ingredient list
Composition details
Manufacturing process
Safety data of ingredients
Shelf life information
Label and packaging design
Free sale certificate (for imported products)
Test reports from NABL labs

These documents help FSSAI check whether the product is safe.

Approval Process

The basic process includes:

Filing application on FSSAI portal
Uploading product and ingredient details
Submitting safety documents
Expert review by FSSAI
Additional queries, if any
Grant of approval

The process usually takes a few weeks to a few months depending on the product.

Why Many Applications Get Rejected

Common reasons for rejection include:

Unsafe or banned ingredients
Missing documents
Wrong labeling
False health claims
Lack of safety studies
Incomplete formulation

This is why professional guidance is very helpful.

Importance for Food Businesses

If you sell a non-specified food without approval:

Your product can be banned
You may face penalties
Import shipments may be stopped
Online platforms may delist your product

Proper approval builds trust and allows smooth business operations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is a non-specified food product?

Ans. It is a food item that does not fall under any standard category defined by FSSAI.

Q2. Can I sell non-specified food in India without approval?

Ans. No. FSSAI approval is mandatory before selling or importing such products.

Q3. Are protein supplements non-specified foods?

Ans. Some protein products are standard, but many advanced formulas fall under non-specified food.

Q4. Do imported foods need this approval?

Ans. Yes. If the imported food is not covered under FSSAI standards, approval is required.

Q5. Is herbal food also non-specified?

Ans. If the herbal food is not listed under FSSAI categories, it becomes non-specified.

Q6. How long does approval take?

Ans. It can take a few weeks to a few months depending on product complexity.

Q7. Can FSSAI reject my application?

Ans. Yes, if ingredients or documents are not satisfactory.

Q8. Can one approval be used for multiple products?

Ans. No. Each product and formulation requires separate approval.

Q9. Is labeling checked in this process?

Ans. Yes. FSSAI reviews packaging and label claims carefully.

Q10. Why should I take professional help?

Ans. Experts ensure correct documents, safety compliance, and faster approval, reducing rejection risk.