Ayurveda Aahara 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.
Regulations 9 to 14 of the Ayurveda Aahara Regulations, 2022 deal with what happens after a product qualifies as Ayurveda Aahara: how claims are made, when prior approval is needed, the Expert Committee, the label (words, logo and six particulars) and how existing licensed products are reassigned to Ayurveda Aahara.
The text is read as amended up to 5 May 2022 (the Regulations as notified; no amendment listed; FSSAI Order of 25 July 2025 on category A products). FSSAI publications are reference copies and the Gazette text prevails. Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in. Producers can see our food product approval service for the approval and licensing steps.
Claims follow the Advertising and Claims Regulations, 2018 and Schedule B. Where Schedule B needs prior approval, it follows the Non-Specific Food and Food Ingredients approval Regulations, 2017. Labels must show "AYURVEDA AAHARA" near the name or brand name, the Schedule E logo on front of pack, the warning 'ONLY FOR DIETARY USE' and four further particulars. FSSAI's office order of 6 May 2026 routes applications through the ePAAS single window.
Regulation 9: claims
- 9(1) The Food Business Operator shall make claims in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.
- 9(2) Health claims and disease risk reduction claims for the different categories of Ayurveda Aahara, and their approval process, shall be in accordance with Schedule B.
Regulation 8 separately bars any claim of preventing, treating or curing a human disease; see regulations 1 to 8. Schedule B, with its category table, is explained in the article on Schedules A and B.
Regulation 10: prior approval
If Ayurveda Aahara needs prior approval as per Schedule B, the approval shall be in accordance with the Approval for Non-Specific Food and Food Ingredients Regulations, 2017 (the Approval for Non-Specified Food Regulations). Our articles on the approval procedure and on how to apply for product approval explain that route. A one-line administrative point: FSSAI's office order of 6 May 2026 says applications under that route now go through the ePAAS single window. The Regulations themselves print no portal step.
Regulation 11: the Expert Committee
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India shall constitute an Expert Committee under the Ministry of Ayush, consisting of relevant experts including representatives of FSSAI, for providing recommendations on approval of claims and products as specified in regulations 9 and 10. The Committee shall also be empowered to address concerns regarding registration, licensing, certification, laboratory accreditation, testing or quality issues related to Ayurveda Aahara. The text gives no membership number or term.
Regulation 12: labelling in general
The labelling of Ayurveda Aahara shall be in accordance with the Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020 and the specific labelling requirements in these Regulations. See regulations 1 to 4 of the Labelling and Display Regulations.
Regulation 13: other requirements for the label
Every label of Ayurveda Aahara shall specify the intended purpose, the target consumer group, the recommended duration of use and other specific labelling requirements, namely:
| Clause | Requirement |
|---|---|
| (a) | The words "AYURVEDA AAHARA" printed in the immediate proximity of the name or brand name of the product; and the logo specified in Schedule E, on the front of the pack of the label |
| (b) | An advisory warning 'ONLY FOR DIETARY USE' prominently written |
| (c) | A statement that the Ayurveda Aahara is not to be used as a substitute for a varied diet |
| (d) | A warning or other precautions to be taken while consuming, known side effects, if any, contraindications, and published product or drug interactions, as applicable |
| (e) | A statement that the product is required to be stored out of reach of children |
| (f) | A warning that the product is for oral consumption only and not for parenteral use |
The Schedule E logo is a graphic; see the article on Schedules C, D and E. The three particulars in the opening words (intended purpose, target group, duration) are in addition to clauses (a) to (f).
Regulation 14: information to the Food Authority
The Food Business Operator shall inform the licensing authority in writing, if any, of existing food products duly licensed to be assigned as Ayurveda Aahara. The Licensing Authority shall, within thirty days from the date of recommendation received from the Expert Committee, permit the same with applicable modifications including labelling as specified in these Regulations. The text does not say what happens if the thirty days pass without a decision, and no form or fee is printed.
A route map
| Step | Provision |
|---|---|
| Decide if the product is Ayurveda Aahara and its Schedule B category | Regulations 2 and 3, Schedules A and B |
| Make claims only as the Advertising and Claims Regulations and Schedule B allow | Regulation 9 |
| Obtain prior approval where Schedule B requires it | Regulation 10 |
| Expert Committee recommendation on claims and products | Regulation 11 |
| Label with words, logo and warnings | Regulations 12 and 13 |
| Existing licensed products reassigned | Regulation 14 |
An invented example
Prakriti Foods already holds a licence for a packaged herbal porridge mix and now wishes to sell it as Ayurveda Aahara. It informs its licensing authority in writing under regulation 14; once the Expert Committee's recommendation arrives, the authority has thirty days to permit it with the modifications. The relabelled pack carries "AYURVEDA AAHARA" next to the brand name, the logo on front of pack, "ONLY FOR DIETARY USE", the not-a-substitute-for-a-varied-diet statement, storage out of reach of children and the oral-use warning, plus the intended purpose, target group and duration of use. It does not claim to cure any disease.
Need help with approval and labelling?
Approvals, claims and label statements interlock: a claim decides the category, the category decides the approval, and the approval decides the label. Our food product approval team can help prepare the dossier, the licensing intimation and the label.
Key takeaways
- Claims follow the 2018 Claims Regulations and Schedule B; prior approval, where needed, follows the 2017 approval Regulations.
- An Expert Committee under the Ministry of Ayush recommends on claims and products.
- Labels carry "AYURVEDA AAHARA", the Schedule E logo, "ONLY FOR DIETARY USE" and four further statements, besides intended purpose, target group and duration.
- Existing licensed products may be reassigned within thirty days of the Expert Committee recommendation, with modifications.
- Applications now go through ePAAS under FSSAI's office order of 6 May 2026.
Read next
- Regulations 1–8: definitions and general requirements
- Schedules A and B: authoritative books and categories
- Schedules C, D and E: additives, hygiene and logo
- How to apply for product approval
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.