FSSAI’s Ayurveda Aahara List to Bolster Preventive Healthcare and Consumer Trust; Here’s What You Can Safely Eat
New Delhi, August 3: In a landmark step toward integrating traditional knowledge with modern food safety standards, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, has released an official list of approved “Ayurveda Aahara” products. The list, developed under the Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahara) Regulations, 2022, offers clear regulatory guidance to manufacturers and reassures consumers about what can be safely consumed under the Ayurveda Aahara category.
The newly notified list contains Category A Ayurveda Aahara items—products and formulations directly mentioned in classical Ayurvedic texts included in Schedule A of the regulations. These foods are curated to promote wellness and preventive healthcare and are prepared in accordance with Ayurvedic principles such as Ritu (seasonal suitability), Agni (digestive fire), and Dosha balance.
What You Can Safely Eat
The approved formulations include dietary items prepared with Ayurvedic herbs, spices, and ingredients known for their therapeutic or immunity-boosting properties. Examples include herbal decoctions (kadha), asava-arishta-based preparations, seasoned rice variants like medhya anna (cognitive-enhancing rice), digestive aids, herbal ghee-based preparations, and others used for daily nourishment or lifestyle support.
This compendium is designed to guide food business operators (FBOs) in safely formulating and marketing Ayurveda-aligned food products. The Ministry clarified that additional formulations, if supported by references in Ayurvedic scriptures, may also be added upon request and subsequent evaluation.
Bridging Tradition and Regulation
“This effort bridges India’s ancient dietary wisdom with modern-day food governance,” said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush. “By offering this credible reference, we empower businesses and assure consumers of safe, authentic, Ayurveda-based nutrition.”
Union Minister of Ayush and Health & Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, emphasized the preventive health value of Ayurveda Aahara. “This is a meaningful step toward preventive healthcare, sustainability, and balanced living. Our traditional food systems must be embraced not only for their cultural value but for their scientific efficacy,” he stated.
Scientific Backing and Digital Accessibility
The Ayurveda Aahara Compendium has been developed in partnership with leading academic institutions under the Ministry of Ayush. It has undergone scientific validation to ensure it meets both traditional principles and current safety standards. According to Prof. Sanjeev Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of the National Institute of Ayurveda, the compendium will serve as a “ready reckoner” for FBOs and help consumers make informed dietary choices rooted in Ayurveda.
The list is publicly accessible on the FSSAI website, reinforcing transparency and regulatory compliance.
India’s Push Toward Preventive Health
The launch of the Ayurveda Aahara list reflects a growing national and global interest in traditional, plant-based nutrition systems that emphasize prevention over cure. With this regulatory backing, Ayurveda Aahara has gained official recognition within the food safety framework, enabling a smoother path for product innovation, commercialization, and consumer adoption.
This initiative is expected to catalyze a new wave of Ayurveda-inspired food products entering the mainstream Indian and global markets—with assured quality, credibility, and safety.
For access to the official Ayurveda Aahara list: FSSAI Advisory – Ayurveda Aahara Products
