New Delhi, November 3, 2025 — The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a fresh advisory to all State Food Safety Commissioners and Regional Directors, highlighting the need for stricter compliance in the disposal of seized, rejected, or expired food items. The move comes amid reports of improper dumping of such items into rivers and open land, raising concerns over environmental safety and public health. This latest directive builds upon earlier guidelines issued on December 21, 2020, and aims to curb any recurrence of unsafe disposal practices. The advisory emphasizes that food waste, including packaging, must not be discarded into natural water bodies, open lands, or similar areas under any circumstances.
FSSAI ADVISORY 2025: CLEAR DISPOSAL PATHWAYS MANDATED FOR EXPIRED AND REJECTED FOOD ITEMS
The advisory lists a set of approved methods for disposal that must be followed in coordination with local municipal bodies or other statutory authorities. These include:
- Incineration: Use of authorized facilities that comply with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) norms to ensure complete combustion.
- Landfills: Disposal in designated sanitary landfills with proper leachate control; biodegradable waste should be composted where possible.
- Biodegradable Waste Processing: Composting or anaerobic digestion through certified facilities.
Disposals must be overseen by a designated Food Safety Officer and carried out under video documentation, with at least two independent witnesses present. A certificate of disposal is to be submitted to both the concerned State Commissioner of Food Safety and the Food Business Operator (FBO).
MONTHLY COMPLIANCE REPORTING STRENGTHENED UNDER NEW FSSAI GUIDELINES
The advisory also introduces a structured monitoring mechanism. All States and Union Territories are required to submit monthly reports to FSSAI by the 5th of each month, outlining compliance with disposal norms and flagging any deviations.
Designated officers have been directed to identify and maintain an updated list of suitable disposal facilities and ensure coordination with State Pollution Control Boards for handling high-volume waste.
IMPACT OF FSSAI ADVISORY 2025 ON MANUFACTURERS AND FOOD BUSINESSES
While the directive is addressed to enforcement officials, it has direct implications for manufacturers and brand owners. Companies whose products are seized or expire before reaching consumers will now face increased scrutiny during the disposal process. They may be called upon to provide documentation, facilitate coordination with disposal agencies, or ensure the availability of certified facilities.
Food businesses are advised to review their internal protocols related to returns, expired inventory, and waste handling, ensuring alignment with the updated regulatory expectations. Failure to comply may lead to penalties or reputational damage.
A STEP TOWARD SAFER SUPPLY CHAINS THROUGH ECO-FRIENDLY FOOD DISPOSAL
The advisory reflects FSSAI’s commitment to not only food safety but also environmental protection. By standardizing the disposal process and enforcing transparency, the authority aims to prevent contamination of natural resources and reduce ecological risk. This initiative is expected to strengthen food safety enforcement while promoting sustainable practices across the supply chain.
FINAL SUMMARY
This advisory signals FSSAI’s zero-tolerance stance toward environmental negligence in food waste management. It underscores a pressing need for all stakeholders, regulatory authorities, food businesses, and disposal vendors to collaborate in ensuring that food safety extends beyond the consumer’s plate and into the ecosystem that supports it.