FSSAI advisory RCD-02005/10/2024-Regulatory-FSSAI-Part(1) · 03 Nov 2025
Official title
Advisory on Environmentally Compliant Disposal of Seized, Rejected and Expired Food Items
Official record
Open source pageSummary
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India mandates strict disposal protocols for seized, rejected, or expired food items to prevent environmental damage. Authorities prohibit the dumping of food items or packaging into rivers, lakes, water bodies, or open lands. Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers must ensure disposal occurs through authorized incineration, sanitary landfills, or certified composting facilities. Disposal requires supervision by an authorized officer, video documentation, and the presence of two independent witnesses. Officers must submit a disposal certificate to the Designated Officer, the Commissioner of Food Safety, and the Food Business Operator. States and Union Territories must submit monthly compliance reports to the FSSAI by the 5th day of the following month.
What you must do
Key dates
Who is affected
RCD-02005/10/2024-Regulatory-FSSAI-Part(1)
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
(A Statutory Authority established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006)
Regulatory Compliance Division
FDA Bhavan, Kotla Road, New Delhi-110002
दिनांक: 03rd नवंबर, 2025
To,
खाद्य सुरक्षा आयुक्त, सभी राज्य/संघ राज्य क्षेत्र
एफएसएसएआई के सभी क्षेत्रीय निदेशक
The Commissioner of Food Safety, All States/UTs
All the Regional Director, FSSAI
विषय: जब्त, अस्वीकृत एवं समाप्ति तिथि पार कर चुके खाद्य पदार्थों के पर्यावरणीय मानकों के अनुरूप निपटान के संबंध में परामर्श।
Subject: Advisory on Environmentally Compliant Disposal of Seized, Rejected and Expired Food Items – reg.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is committed to upholding the highest standards of food safety for protection of human life and health, as well as safeguarding consumers’ interests. As per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the regulations framed thereunder, the proper handling and disposal of rejected, expired, or seized food items are critical in preventing health risks, misuse within the supply chain, and environmental harm.
Previous directives from FSSAI, including the guidelines dated 21.12.2020, outlined the procedure for disposal of seized food articles in accordance with the provisions under section 38(4) & 47(4) of the FSS Act 2006 and in cases where the law permits and the Adjudicating officer/court so orders for disposal of the seized articles by destruction.
Recently, there have been reports of instances, where seized, rejected, or expired food items were improperly disposed of by being dumped directly into rivers and other natural water bodies.
In view of the above, the earlier directives dated 21.12.2020 are reiterated. To ensure proper disposal of perishable, seized, and rejected food items, all the Designated Officers, Food Safety Officers, and enforcement teams under their respective jurisdiction are also directed to follow the procedure outlined below to prevent any recurrence of such incidents and to maintain full compliance with the prescribed norms:
It is strictly prohibited to dispose of seized, rejected, or expired food items, including their packaging, into rivers, lakes, natural water bodies, or open lands under any circumstances.
The Approved Disposal Methods, which may be followed in coordination with the local municipal authority/ panchayat or any other statutory bodies, which includes but not limited to:
Procedural Safeguards:
Monitoring and Reporting:
यह आवश्यक अनुपालन हेतु सक्षम प्राधिकारी की स्वीकृति से जारी किया गया है।
This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority for necessary compliance.
Digitally signed by
Dr. SATYEN KUMAR PANDA
Date: 03-11-2025 17:19:41
डॉ. सत्येन कुमार पंडा
कार्यकारी निदेशक (अनुपालन रणनीति)
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