Rapid Test 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 2.4 lets the Food Authority approve a rapid analytical food testing kit, equipment or method. Forms A and B, at the end of the Regulations, are the certificate of the Referral Food Laboratory and the report of the Food Analyst. From 1 April 2027 the Amendment Regulations, 2026 add a method-of-analysis regulation (2.5) and analysis timelines (2.6), and omit the two Forms.
This article reads the text as amended up to 14 September 2026 (FSSAI Compendium Version III dated 01.03.2021; the Amendment Regulations, 2026 apply from 1 April 2027). FSSAI compendia are reference consolidations and the Gazette text prevails. Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in.
Under 2.4.1 the Food Authority may approve a Rapid Analytical Food testing Kit, Equipment or Method for the purpose of testing food, and 2.4.2 says the procedure shall be as per guidelines that the Authority may frame from time to time. From 1 April 2027, regulation 2.6 requires the Food Analyst to issue the signed report within fourteen days of receipt of the article, the referral laboratory to do so within fourteen days in an appeal, and a notified or referral laboratory to give the import analysis report within five days from receipt of the sample. Kit makers, laboratories, importers and food businesses are affected. Help with an analyst's report is available through FSSAI notice reply support.
Regulation 2.4: approval of rapid kits, equipment or methods
Regulation 2.4 was inserted by the notification of 21 July 2020 (footnote 2 in the compendium).
- 2.4.1 The Food Authority may approve a Rapid Analytical Food testing Kit, Equipment or Method for the purpose of testing of food.
- 2.4.2 The procedure for approval shall be as per the guidelines that may be framed by the Food Authority from time to time.
Two features are visible in the words. First, the approval is a power ("may approve"), not a duty. Second, the procedure is not in the Regulations at all; it sits in guidelines that the Authority frames. A manufacturer of a test kit has therefore to look at the guidelines the Authority has issued.
Forms A and B: what they are
Both Forms are headed "Refer regulation (2) of 2.3.1".
| Form | Heading as printed | Signed by |
|---|---|---|
| A | Certificate of analysis by the Referral Food Laboratory | Director, Referral Food Laboratory (with seal) |
| B | Report of the Food Analyst | Food Analyst |
Both follow the same plan by headings: a certificate or report number, details of the sample and its receipt and the condition of seals, the category of the food sample and the regulation of the Food Products Standards and Food Additives Regulations under which it falls, the date of starting and completion of analysis, a statement of whether the sample was fit for analysis (with reasons if not), an analysis report with sample description, physical appearance and label, a table of quality characteristics, the method of test used, results and the prescribed standards, and an opinion with the basis for any interpretation.
For how a Food Analyst's report is used, see our post on the legal validity of the food analyst's certificate.
Notified change, in force from 1 April 2027
The Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Amendment Regulations, 2026 (F. No. QA/11023/31/2022-QA-FSSAI(2), 14 September 2026) come into force on 1st April, 2027. Until then, regulations 2.4 and Forms A and B are as described above. From that date, after regulation 2.4, the following are inserted.
New regulation 2.5: method of analysis
2.5.1 says the manuals of the method of analysis, as amended or adopted by the Authority from time to time, shall be used for analysing the samples of food articles. If the method for analysing any parameter is not available in these manuals, the Food Laboratory may adopt a validated method of analysis prescribed by AOAC / ISO / Pearson's / Jacob / IUPAC / Food Chemicals CODEX / BIS / Codex Alimentarius / Woodmen / Winton-Winton / Joslyn or any other internationally recognized regulatory agencies.
New regulation 2.6: timeline for analysis
| Provision | Rule as printed |
|---|---|
| 2.6.1(1) regulatory samples | the Food Analyst shall issue the signed report within fourteen days of the receipt of the article of food for analysis as per the format specified under the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011 |
| proviso to 2.6.1(1) | if the sample cannot be analysed within fourteen days of receipt, the Food Analyst shall inform the Designated Officer and the Commissioner of Food Safety, giving reasons and specifying the time to be taken |
| 2.6.1(2) appeal | the referral laboratory shall issue the report signed by the Director within fourteen days of receipt of sample as per the Rules' format, with a proviso on the same lines |
| 2.6.2 import | the notified laboratory or referral laboratory shall provide the analysis report as per the format in the Import Regulations, 2017 within five days from the date of receipt of the sample |
| proviso to 2.6.2 | if the sample cannot be tested within the specified time, the laboratory shall state the reasons in writing to the Authorised Officer |
Forms A and B omitted
Clause (iii) of the amendment says the Forms A and B in the said regulation shall be omitted. This links with the change to clause 2 of regulation 2.3.1 (Forms XI or VII A of the FSS Rules), covered in our article on the procedure and quantity of sampling.
An invented example: Sunrise Foods receives a notice about a sample drawn by a Designated Officer. After 1 April 2027, the Food Analyst's report is to be issued within fourteen days of receipt of the article, unless the Analyst informs the Designated Officer and the Commissioner that more time is needed. The Rules on the right to analysis and appeal are in our post on the FBO's right to analysis and appeal to the Designated Officer.
Where this fits
The earlier articles in this series are on definitions and referral laboratories and on sampling. Recognition of laboratories is under the 2018 Regulations, covered in our article on the criteria for reference laboratories. The import analysis timeline in 2.6.2 sits beside the reporting periods in the Import Regulations, covered in our article on the analysis of imported food samples.
Need help with an analysis report?
Timelines, forms and the right to a second analysis all depend on the date of the sample and the type of sample. Our FSSAI notice reply service helps businesses read the report, check it against the provisions in force on that date and prepare a response.
Key takeaways
- Regulation 2.4 empowers the Food Authority to approve rapid kits, equipment or methods, with the procedure in guidelines.
- Forms A and B are the Referral Food Laboratory certificate and the Food Analyst's report.
- From 1 April 2027: manuals of the method of analysis (2.5.1); fourteen days for regulatory and appeal reports (2.6.1); five days for import reports (2.6.2); Forms A and B omitted.
Read next
- Regulation 2.3: procedure and quantity of sampling
- Regulations 1.1–2.2: definitions and referral laboratories
- Legal validity of the food analyst's certificate
- Rule 2.4.5 and 2.4.6 of the FSS Rules: right to analysis and appeal
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.