The document discusses regulations introduced by FSSAI regarding Ayurveda Aahar foods. Key points: - Ayurveda Aahar foods must be prepared according to recipes from authoritative Ayurvedic texts and can contain botanicals listed in Schedules. - The regulations aim to ensure quality and expand the international market for Ayurvedic products in India. A logo was launched to allow for easy identification of compliant foods. - Manufacturing and sale of Ayurveda Aahar foods will now be regulated and require an FSSAI license. Certain product labeling requirements must also be followed.

1. According to Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahar) Regulations,
2021 from FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India),
Ayurveda Aahar is food prepared in accordance with the recipes or
ingredients and/or processes as per methods described in the authoritative
books of Ayurveda listed under ‘Schedule A’ of these regulations. Some
books like: Arogya kalpadruma, Arya Bishak etc.
“This comprehensive initiative will ensure
 manufacturing of quality Ayurveda food products
 help in expanding the international market for Make-In-India products.

2. Although
It also includes products which have other botanical ingredients in
accordance with the concept of Ayurvedic Aahar
but does not include
Ayurvedic drugs or Ayurvedic medicines and medicinal products, cosmetics,
narcotic or psychotropic substances, herbs listed under Schedule E of Drug
and Cosmetic Act, 1940 and Rules 1945 thereunder, metals based Ayurvedic
drugs or medicines, bhasma or pishti and any other ingredients notified by
the Authority from time to time, the draft regulations note.

3. Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya
launched the ‘Ayurveda Aahar’ logo on the
occasion of World Food Safety Day on June 7.
According to him, the logo, just like any other
standard logo on food products, would allow
for “easy identification” and create a “unique
identity of ‘Ayurveda Aahar’ .” This measure is
also likely to “reinforce quality” of Ayurvedic
products.
*Symbolic 5 leaves represent five elements —
ether, air, water, fire, and Earth.
*Colour green stands for natural, biotic,
wholesome, herbal, and organic.

4. As per the regulations, the manufacturing and marketing of “Ayurveda Aahara” products will
now be regulated strictly as per the Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahara)
Regulations, 2022. And Ayurveda Aahara products will be available in the market if they have
license/ approval from FSSAI.
If Ayurveda Aahara need prior approval as per Schedule B of these regulations, the same shall
be in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specific Food and
Food Ingredients) Regulation, 2017.

5. Any packed food item used in day-to-day life for dietary purpose such as pulses, rice, flour,
vegetable without addition of Ayurveda Aahar ingredient(s) shall not be covered under these
regulations. Minimally processed food items involving cleaning, dedusting, polishing,
dehusking, grading shall not fall under these regulations.
No person shall manufacture or sale Ayurveda Aahar intended for administration to infants
up to the age of 24 months.

6. The manufacture of Ayurveda Aahar shall be established by Food Business Operators in
accordance with the Schedule 4 of Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and
Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011
FBOs may add or alter the recipes of Ayurveda Aahar by addition of one or more
botanicals listed in ‘Schedule IV’ of Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements,
Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose,
Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016 subject to the following:
(i) Such addition shall be based on adequate scientific rationale and as per Ayurvedic
principles including for their levels of usage.
(ii) Such addition shall be demonstrable for its presence in the final formulation by
suitable analytical techniques

7. Additives: The products covered under these regulations shall contain only natural
food additives as specified under schedule C of these regulations.
Addition of vitamins, minerals and amino acids to Ayurveda Aahar shall not be
permitted. However, natural vitamins and minerals if present in the Ayurveda Aahar
may be declared on the label.
Contaminants: The products covered under these regulations shall conform to the
safety requirements specified in Schedule D of these regulations. The raw materials
used for manufacture of Ayurveda Aahar shall also meet the requirements specified in
Schedule D of these regulations.
Packaging: Ayurveda Aahar shall conform to the Food Safety and Standards
(Packaging) Regulation, 2018.

8. No person shall manufacture, pack, sell, offer for sale, market or otherwise distribute or
import Ayurveda Aahar unless the product complies with the requirements laid down in
these regulations.
The labelling, presentation and advertisement shall not claim that the Ayurveda Aahar has
the property of preventing, treating or curing a human disease or refer to such properties.
Food Business Operator shall make claims in accordance with the Food Safety and
Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulation, 2018. Food Business Operators shall
make claims as per description or indications specified for the recipe or ingredient in the
authoritative books listed in Schedule A.
Such claim statements should be factual, not misleading or exaggerated and be of a
documented history of usage. Disease risk reduction and/or health benefits claims shall
be pre-approved by the Food Authority.

9. The labelling of Ayurveda Aahar shall be in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards
(Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, and the specific labelling requirements provided in
these regulations.
Every label of Ayurveda Aahar shall clearly specify the intended purpose, the target consumer
group, recommended duration of use and other specific labelling requirements, namely:
a. The words “AYURVEDA AAHAR” printed in the immediate proximity of the name or brand
name of the product; and the logo as specified below in the front of the pack of the label:
b. An advisory warning ‘ONLY FOR DIETARY USE’ prominently written;

10. c. A statement that the Ayurveda Aahar is not to be used as a substitute for a varied diet;
d. A warning or any 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

11. Principles of Diet:
Basic principles of Ayurvedic nutrition:
Nutrition is the most important because from a proper wholesome and balanced diet,
all the body constituents—dosha, dhatu and mala—are formed.
That is why it is said that ‘we are what we eat’. Food is not only essential for our
physical well-being but it provides nutrition for our mind as well.
Aharavidhi vidhaan: means rules for taking of diet. Includes diet and dietary
guidelines.

12. As we have a physical constitution (vata, pitta, kapha), we also have mental
constitution characterized by the three Gunas (called sattva, rajas, tamas).
According to Sankhya philosophy; sattva, rajas & tamas are the three universal
qualities necessary for the creation of the universe.
All are equally important to maintain our psychobilogical functions:
 Because of Sattva we remain conscious and reawaken every morning.
 Because of Rajas our thoughts, feelings and emotions move in a creative way.
 Because of Tamas we become tired, exhausted and heavy. Without Tamas there
is no sleep possible.
These three qualities are also necessary for the functioning of every cell. Sattva is
considered potential energy, rajas is kinetic energy & tamas is inertia.

13. Sattvic food
Bhagavad Gita 17/8:
"Foods in the mode of goodness increases the duration of life (longevity), purify one's existence
and provides the strength, health happiness and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, fatty,
wholesome and pleasing to the heart."
Sattvic diet consists of pure food (not processed) that is light in digestion & rich in prana
(life force, energy). It energizes the body & relaxes the mind. It induces sense of refreshment,
satisfaction & peace.
"Food items that are considered to be conducive for a yoga practitioner are: wheat, rice, barley,
good grains like a variety of rice crop grown in sixty days, cow milk, ghee, jaggery, butter,
sugar, honey, dry ginger, cucumber, seasonal fruits etc..., five leafy vegetables, greengram lentil
etc..."
Note: here sugar doesn't mean white sugar.

14. Sattvic diet can not be measured/calculated by one parameter.
There are many parameters of it.
For example: someone takes the pumpkin cooked vegetable with barley chapati
(breads). Both are sattvic in nature but if the food is overtaken compared to the hunger,
or the mood is in state of anger, lust, jealousy...etc then the food can not give the
sattvic effects.

15. So, there are some rules and disciplines we need to observe while cooking & eating.
Remember some points in whole process:
 Check the nature of the fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds... are they fresh or old,
stored/preserve in cold storages, etc...
 The method of cooking: slow fire or high fire; boiling, roasting or frying; cooking in
sunlight or without sunlight; the pots used while cooking or during the cooking...
 The mood while cooking.
 Combinations of different fruits, vegetables, oils, seeds...
 The quantity of different ingredients of food.
 The time of taking the meal: morning, evening or night.
 The season: same food can not give you the same energy for the all 12 months.

16. A sattvic diet thus leads to true health: a peaceful mind in control of a fit
body, with a balanced flow of energy between them, improves digested
system, prevent chronic diseases, increases detoxification. A sattvic diet is
excellent for those individuals who desire to live a quiet, peaceful and
meditative life.
Sattvic foods include sprouted whole grains, fresh fruit, land and sea
vegetables, pure fruit juices, nut and seed milk and cheese, legumes, nuts,
seeds, sprouted seeds, honey and herbal teas. Sattvic foods are those foods
which do not agitate your stomach at all.

17. Rajasic diet
According to Ayurveda, the foods which aggravate pitta and vata doshas and that which
increase anger and restlessness are called rajasic foods.
They stimulate more fire, outward motion, creativity, aggression and passion. It includes too
much spicy, salty and sour foods. Sour and spicy preparations, pickles, tea, coffee, alcohol
and vegetables like onion, garlic, etc. are said to be rajasic in nature.
The mind-body equilibrium will be destroyed by rajasic foods and they make the mind
restless and uncontrollable.

18. Tamasic food
Foods that increase the inner darkness and confusion are called tamasic foods. Tamasic foods
include fried and frozen foods, fast foods, microwaved foods, processed foods, left overnight
foods, meat, fish, eggs, onion, alcohol, etc.
They are good for slowing us down, numbing us, depressing us and enhancing
inertia. Tamasic food is the unhealthiest food
Tamasic food is also the food which is taken without hunger, excessive in quantity, taken in
disturbed state of mind (anger, jealousy, hatred,...), late at night. And also the too cold or hot
foods/liquid, pasteurized milk, yogurt, cheese.