Food sample analysis: reports within 14 days, import samples within 5 days from 1 April 2027 — FSS (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Amendment Regulations, 2026
FSSAI has amended the Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Regulations, 2011. From 1 April 2027, the Food Analyst must issue a signed report within fourteen days of receiving a regulatory sample, the referral laboratory within fourteen days in appeal, and the notified or referral laboratory within five days for import samples. New regulations on the method of analysis are added, and Forms A and B are omitted.
Key facts
- In force
- In force from 1 April 2027
- Who it affects
- Food testing laboratories, Food Analysts, referral laboratories, food importers, food business operators whose samples are drawn, Designated and Authorised Officers
- What it is
- Rule change
- Section
- FSSAI
- Published
- 14 September 2026
In 30 seconds
- Notification F. No. QA/11023/31/2022-QA-FSSAI(2) is dated 14 September 2026; the regulations come into force on 1 April 2027.
- Regulatory samples: Food Analyst’s signed report within fourteen days of receipt of the article of food.
- Appeal: referral laboratory’s report, signed by the Director, within fourteen days of receipt of the sample.
- Import: laboratory analysis report within five days from the date of receipt of the sample.
- If the time cannot be met, reasons must be given — to the Designated Officer and the Commissioner of Food Safety, or to the Authorised Officer for imports.
- FSSAI’s manuals of methods of analysis are to be used; other validated methods only where the manuals have none for a parameter.
हिंदी में सार
FSSAI ने खाद्य सुरक्षा और मानक (प्रयोगशाला और नमूना विश्लेषण) संशोधन विनियम, 2026 अधिसूचित किए हैं (14 सितंबर 2026), जो 1 अप्रैल 2027 से लागू होंगे। खाद्य विश्लेषक को नमूना मिलने के 14 दिन के भीतर हस्ताक्षरित रिपोर्ट देनी होगी; अपील में रेफ़रल प्रयोगशाला को भी 14 दिन; आयात के नमूनों की रिपोर्ट 5 दिन में। समय पर न हो पाने पर कारण बताना होगा। विश्लेषण के लिए प्राधिकरण की नियम-पुस्तिकाएँ (मैनुअल) इस्तेमाल होंगी; प्ररूप क और ख हटा दिए गए हैं।
What has been notified
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, with the previous approval of the Central Government, has made the Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Amendment Regulations, 2026. The notification (F. No. QA/11023/31/2022-QA-FSSAI(2)) is dated 14 September 2026 and amends the 2011 regulations of the same name. The regulations come into force on 1 April 2027.
The draft was published on 17 February 2025, inviting objections and suggestions within sixty days; the notification records that those received have been considered.
Timelines for analysis — new regulation 2.6
| Type of sample | Who reports | Time limit | If the limit cannot be met |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulatory sample | Food Analyst — signed report in the format under the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011 | Within 14 days of receipt of the article of food | Inform the Designated Officer and the Commissioner of Food Safety, giving reasons and specifying the time to be taken |
| Appeal | Referral laboratory — report signed by the Director | Within 14 days of receipt of the sample | Inform the Designated Officer and the Commissioner of Food Safety, giving reasons and specifying the time to be taken |
| Import | Notified laboratory or referral laboratory — report in the format under the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017 | Within 5 days from the date of receipt of the sample | State the reasons in writing to the Authorised Officer |
Method of analysis — new regulation 2.5
The manuals of the method of analysis, as amended or adopted by the Authority from time to time, are to be used for analysing samples of food articles. Where the method for a parameter is not available in these manuals, the food laboratory may adopt a validated method prescribed by AOAC, ISO, Pearson’s, Jacob, IUPAC, Food Chemicals CODEX, BIS, Codex Alimentarius, Woodmen, Winton-Winton, Joslyn or any other internationally recognised regulatory agency.
Other changes
- Certificates and reports (regulation 2.3.1, clause 2): after test or analysis, the certificate signed by the Director of the Referral Food Laboratory, or the report signed by the Food Analyst, is to be supplied forthwith to the sender in Form XI or Form VII A respectively, as specified under the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011.
- Sample quantity (clause 4, second proviso): for unspecified products, the quantity drawn shall be as per the guidelines issued by the Food Authority from time to time.
- Forms A and B of the regulations are omitted.
What the notification does not say
It does not set out the provisions it replaces, so earlier timelines cannot be stated from this document. It does not provide a consequence for a laboratory that misses the time limit, beyond the duty to give reasons.
What food businesses and laboratories should do
Food laboratories and Food Analysts should plan for the fourteen-day and five-day limits and for the reporting formats under the Rules and the Import Regulations before 1 April 2027, and should keep written reasons wherever a sample will take longer. Importers can expect the laboratory report on a sample within five days of the laboratory receiving it, or a written reason to the Authorised Officer.
Questions and answers
How soon must a Food Analyst report on a food sample?
Under new regulation 2.6.1, within fourteen days of the receipt of the article of food for analysis, in the format specified under the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011.
What is the time limit for imported food samples?
The notified laboratory or referral laboratory shall provide the laboratory analysis report within five days from the date of receipt of the sample.
What if the laboratory cannot finish in time?
For regulatory and appeal samples, the Designated Officer and the Commissioner of Food Safety must be informed with reasons and the time to be taken. For import samples, the laboratory must state the reasons in writing to the Authorised Officer.
When do the new timelines start?
The amendment regulations come into force on 1 April 2027.
Which test methods are to be used?
The manuals of the method of analysis amended or adopted by FSSAI. If a parameter has no method there, the laboratory may adopt a validated method prescribed by bodies such as AOAC, ISO, BIS or Codex Alimentarius, or any other internationally recognised regulatory agency.
Published 14 September 2026. Updated 6 October 2026. This report is for general information and is not professional advice. Read the source document before acting on it.