Regulation 2 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Regulation 2.3.14 collects conditions that attach to the sale of particular foods and to the premises where food is kept. Clauses (1) to (10) cover insecticides kept near food, plastic catering articles, iron-fortified salt, surface-treated hard cheese, protein-rich atta and maida, confectionery sold loose, and edible oils imported in crude form. Shops, caterers and importers can have their premises checked against these clauses through FSSAI compliance support.
The text is read as amended up to 23 May 2026 (FSSAI Compendium Version XI dated 02.04.2025, consolidated to the notification of 17 October 2024, and the notification of 23 May 2026 omitting regulation 2.3.14(8)). FSSAI compendia are reference consolidations and the Gazette text prevails. Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in.
No person may store, expose for sale or permit the sale of any insecticide in the same premises where food is stored, made or exposed for sale, other than approved household insecticides registered under the Insecticides Act, 1968. Plastic catering articles must be of food-grade plastic, iron-fortified salt must go in an HDPE bag, protein-rich atta and maida must be sold packed with ingredients on the label, confectionery above 500 gms must be sold packed, and edible oils imported crude must be refined before sale, apart from coconut and olive oil. Clause (8) has been omitted by the notification of 23 May 2026. Food premises, caterers, importers and packers are affected.
A note on the numbering
The compendium's numbering of clause (2) repeats: there are two clauses printed as (2), the first on plastic articles in catering and the second on iron-fortified salt. A line marked "omitted" follows them, and the next printed clause is (6). The Regulations are read here as printed, so this article refers to the two clauses as "(2), plastic" and "(2), salt". Please check the Gazette text for the numbering that applies.
Clause (1): no insecticide in food premises
No person shall store, expose for sale or permit the sale of any insecticide in the same premises where articles of food are stored, manufactured or exposed for sale. The proviso says the clause does not apply to approved household insecticides registered under the Insecticides Act, 1968 (46 of 1968). The Explanation gives "insecticide" the same meaning as in that Act.
The clause covers sale, storage and exposure for sale in the same premises as food. A general store that sells both groceries and farm insecticide in one shop falls within it, unless the product is an approved household insecticide.
Clause (2), plastic: catering articles
No person shall sell or serve food in any "commercial establishment" in plastic articles used in catering and cutlery, unless the plastic material conforms to the food grade plastic specified in these regulations. The Explanation defines a commercial establishment as any establishment, called by whatever name, run or managed by any person or by any authority of the Government, Semi-Government or by any corporate or registered body, which deals in the business of selling or serving food. The clause therefore reaches restaurants, canteens run by government bodies, and food courts alike. For the current packaging text, see our articles on the Packaging Regulations, 2018 in this series.
Clause (2), salt: iron-fortified common salt
Iron fortified common salt shall be sold only in high density polyethylene bag (HDPE) (14 mesh, density 100 kg/m3, unlaminated) package, which shall bear the label as specified in regulation 2.4.5 (21 and 42) of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011. The 2011 Packaging and Labelling Regulations have been replaced by the Packaging Regulations, 2018 and the Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020.
Clauses (3) to (5)
Between the second clause (2) and clause (6) the compendium shows only a line marked "omitted" (footnote 16, the notification of 17 October 2024). No rule is printed there today.
Clause (6): natamycin on cheese
Every package of cheese (hard), surface treated with Natamycin, shall bear the label specified in regulation 2.4.5 (33) of the 2011 Packaging and Labelling Regulations. The clause is purely a labelling duty on a particular product treatment.
Clause (7): protein-rich atta and maida
No person shall sell protein rich atta and protein rich maida except in packed condition mentioning the names of ingredients on the label.
Clause (8): omitted
Clause (8) used to deal with sal-seed fat. The notification of 23 May 2026 (No. SS-T0FA(NOTI)/3/2024-Standard-FSSAI) omits it, and it came into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. The clause is no longer part of the Regulations, and nothing in it should be treated as a current rule.
Clause (9): confectionery
No person shall sell confectionery weighing more than 500 gms. except in packed condition, and confectionery sold in pieces shall be kept in glass or other suitable containers. The Explanation says confectionery means sugar boiled confectionery, lozenges and chewing gum and bubble gum.
Clause (10): crude and unrefined edible oils
All edible oils, except coconut oil and olive oil, imported in crude, raw or unrefined form shall be subjected to the process of refining before sale for human consumption. Such oil shall bear a label declaration as laid down in regulation 2.4.2 of the 2011 Packaging and Labelling Regulations.
An invented example: Kaveri Oils imports crude sunflower oil and sells it to a bottler. Clause (10) requires the oil to be refined before sale for human consumption. If Kaveri imported coconut oil in crude form, the exception for coconut oil would apply to that product.
How the clauses fit the importer's position
Importers of crude oil should also read the Import Regulations articles in this series and the post on FSSAI compliance for food importers. For the next group of conditions, see clauses 11 to 20 of regulation 2.3.14. The earlier specific bans are in our article on regulations 2.3.1 to 2.3.13. A business that wants its premises and labels reviewed against 2.3.14 can ask for FSSAI compliance support.
Need help with conditions for sale?
Shops, caterers and importers often discover these conditions only when an officer visits. Our FSSAI compliance support team can walk through your premises, packs and oil imports against each clause and prepare the records you need.
Key takeaways
- Insecticide may not be stored or sold in the same premises as food, except approved household insecticides under the Insecticides Act, 1968.
- Plastic catering articles must conform to food grade plastic.
- Iron-fortified salt has a prescribed HDPE bag.
- Clause (8) is omitted from 23 May 2026.
- Edible oils imported crude must be refined before sale, except coconut oil and olive oil.
Read next
- Regulations 2.3.1 to 2.3.13: specific prohibitions
- Regulation 2.3.14 clauses 11 to 20: conditions for sale
- FSSAI compliance for food importers
- Prohibited substances in food under FSSAI rules
Disclaimer: Based on the FSSAI regulations named above as consolidated in FSSAI's compendium versions or as published in the Gazette, with the later notifications the article names (consulted on fssai.gov.in on 2-3 October 2026). Later notifications and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provisions referred to should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.