New Food Safety Rules to Increase Daily Record-Keeping for Businesses

In a major regulatory change that could affect nearly five million food businesses across India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has proposed stricter food safety compliance rules. The proposal has been submitted to the World Trade Organization and, if implemented, will require food businesses to maintain daily production and storage records.

Under the proposed amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, food operators will have to maintain daily records of raw materials, ingredients, work-in-progress items, and finished products. The aim is to improve food safety monitoring and ensure better traceability across the supply chain.

In simple terms, this means food businesses will need to document what they produce, store, and use on a daily basis. The regulator believes this will provide real-time visibility into food handling practices and help reduce disputes during inspections. Better documentation could also strengthen India’s food safety framework and align it more closely with international standards, which is important for exporters.

The new rules, once notified, will apply to all businesses licensed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. India currently has over 10 million licensed food business operators, with around 4.63 million actively operating.

However, industry representatives have raised concerns about the additional compliance burden, especially for micro, small, and medium enterprises. Vinod Kumar, President of SME Forum, said, “Daily reporting would add another burden on small businesses. While larger food companies already follow similar practices, smaller units may face higher administrative costs and operational adjustments once the rule is enforced.”

For large and organised manufacturers, the change may not require major system changes, as many already maintain digital records. But for small businesses, particularly those without integrated digital systems, the new norms could mean investing in record-keeping systems and training staff.

Experts say the move could improve traceability and make Indian food products more acceptable in global markets. At the same time, smaller players may need support to transition smoothly without facing financial strain.

The regulator has invited public comments on the proposal, and the final implementation timeline has not yet been specified. If implemented carefully, the new norms could strengthen food safety standards, but balancing compliance with ease of doing business will be crucial, especially for India’s small food entrepreneurs.