The Ayurveda Aahar’ logo, just like any other standard logo on food products, would allow for easy identification and create a unique identity of Ayurveda Aahar.
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.
“This comprehensive initiative will ensure manufacturing of quality Ayurveda food products and help in expanding the international market for Make-In-India products. The Ministry of Ayush is confident these regulations will further strengthen India’s global positioning as a custodian of Ayush system,” a Press Information Bureau statement, dated May 12, 2022, read.
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.
Know the ‘Ayurveda Aahar’ logo
- In the logo, the Hindi letter Aa, and English letter ‘A’ have been combined in such a way that they appear to be single form.
- According to FSSAI, the design of the logo is such that it contains initial letters of the words Ayurveda and Aahar in Devnagari and English.
- Symbolic 5 leaves represent five elements — ether, air, water, fire, and Earth.
- Colour green stands for natural, biotic, wholesome, herbal, and organic
FSSAI & MoA formulated regulations for ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ products
Earlier, Ministry of Ayush and Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India (MoHFW), India’s apex body for food regulation had formulated regulations of safety and quality standards for food products under ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ category. This comprehensive initiative ensures manufacturing of quality Ayurveda food products and help in expanding the international market for Make-In-India products.
According to the regulation, manufacturing and marketing of ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ products should now adhere to strict Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahara) Regulations, 2022 rules and will be available in market only after license/approval from FSSAI. A special logo has been created for “Ayurveda Aahara” category, which will enable easier identification and reinforce quality in Ayurveda food products.
According to the regulations, all food prepared in accordance with the recipes/ingredients/processes described in the authoritative books of Ayurveda will be considered as “Ayurveda Aahara”. Food recipes and ingredients for promoting health, specific physiological needs, and foods specified for consumption during or post specified diseases, disorders referred as Pathya in Ayurved are covered under these regulations.
The labelling of ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ shall specify the intended purpose, the target consumer group, recommended duration of use and other specific requirements. Health claims and disease risk reduction claims for the different categories of ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ and their approval process shall be in accordance with the requirements specified in regulations. However, ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ will not include Ayurvedic drugs or proprietary Ayurvedic medicines and medicinal products, cosmetics, narcotic or psychotropic substances and herbs. Further, Ayurveda Aahara is also not recommended to young children below age 2 years.
‘Ayurveda Aahara’ needs prior approval, the same shall be in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specific Food and Food Ingredients) Regulation, 2017. FSSAI shall constitute an Expert Committee under the Ministry of Ayush consisting of relevant experts including representatives of FSSAI for providing recommendation on approval of claims and products and the committee shall also empower to address concerns regarding registration or licensing or certification or laboratory accreditation or testing or quality issues related to “Ayurveda Aahara”.
Food business operators (FBOs) to adhere quality parameters for the ingredients as per the criteria defined under Food Safety and Standards Regulations, relevant BIS specifications.
