Common Reasons FSSAI Rejects Non-Specified Food Applications (And How to Avoid Them)

As India’s food and nutraceutical market expands, many companies are introducing innovative formulations, functional foods, fortified products, and new ingredient combinations. When a product does not fall under an existing regulatory standard, manufacturers must seek FSSAI non specified food approval before bringing it to market. However, a significant number of applications for novel ingredients and non-specified food or food ingredient are rejected or delayed — often for preventable reasons.

Understanding the typical grounds for non-approval, and implementing corrective strategies, is vital for any brand navigating the FSSAI novel food application pathway, especially if you are exploring how to get approval for functional food in India or engaging with the FSSAI approval process for supplements.

This guide outlines the most common reasons FSSAI rejects non-specified food applications and provides actionable steps to avoid these pitfalls.

1. Inadequate Safety and Toxicology Data

Why It Causes Rejection

For non- specified food or food ingredient with limited historical use in India, safety evidence is foundational. A frequent rejection occurs when the dossier fails to present robust, scientifically acceptable data on toxicity, exposure, metabolic fate, or allergenicity and human clinical data.

FSSAI officials require clear evidence that the product will not pose health risks under intended use levels. Submission of incomplete, non‑peer‑reviewed, un-published or speculative safety data compromises the credibility of the application.

How to Avoid It

• Include full text toxicology reports.
• Provide safety evaluation report from accredited laboratories
• Provide exposure assessments based on recommended dosages.
• Add allergenicity evaluations and intolerance data.
• Provide safety comparisons to established food ingredients safe use by humans where available.

A comprehensive safety dossier is especially important when seeking how to get approval for functional food in India.

2. Poorly Justified or Unsupported Scientific Rationale

Why It Causes Rejection

Non-specified applications must demonstrate a clear scientific basis for safety and functionality. Applications often fail when the rationale is weak, overly generic, or lacks direct evidence supporting ingredient functionality mechanism of action, or use levels.

FSSAI mandates submission of substantiating documentation demonstrating that any product-related claim is biologically plausible and corroborated by evidence derived from peer‑reviewed, scientifically recognized studies.

How to Avoid It

• Include peer-reviewed Published in well-recognized journals on targeted ingredients.
• Submit mechanistic evidence elucidating the biochemical, physiological, or molecular pathways through which the ingredient exerts its beneficial effects, thereby substantiating the claimed functionality with scientifically validated explanations.
• Link metabolic and compositional data for physiological functional benefits provided for the ingredient.
• Strong scientific justification strengthens applications, reduces requests for clarification, and aligns with FSSAI expectations.

3. Unsubstantiated or Misleading Claims

Why It Causes Rejection

Regulations tightly govern the language used in product claims. Claims suggesting medicinal effects, disease prevention, or exaggerated benefits are flagged. Even descriptive claims must be scientifically supported.

Claims that are not backed by appropriate scientific or that are inconsistent with the product’s composition are common triggers for rejection.

How to Avoid It

• Align with permitted language defined by FSSAI guidelines.
• Provide scientific evidence for every health or functional claim.
• Avoid therapeutic or disease-related language
• Ensure consistency between label claims and dossier claims.

This requirement is especially relevant when preparing a FSSAI approval process for supplements submission with claims about physiological benefits.

4. Incomplete or Disorganized Technical Dossier

Why It Causes Rejection

Applications are often returned when documentation is:

• missing key sections
• poorly organized
• lacking clear cross-references
• inconsistent with submitted claims

Regulatory officials expect methodical, transparent dossiers where all supporting documents are traceable and clearly justified.

How to Avoid It

• Use a well-organized table of contents and clear section headings.
• Align analytical, safety, and claim data under cohesive subsections.
• Provide cross-references for test reports, certificates, and literature.
• Include a narrative summary to guide officials through complex sections.

Clarity and structure make it easier for assessors to validate your application.

5. Misclassification of Product Category

Why It Causes Rejection

Many applications are rejected simply because the product was placed under the wrong category — for example, a functional ingredient treated as a nutrition enhancer or a novel ingredient misclassified under common food standards.

Incorrect categorization triggers regulatory non‑alignment and necessitates submission of irrelevant or excessive data.

Incorrect categorization triggers regulatory non‑alignment and necessitates submission of irrelevant or excessive data.

How to Avoid It

• Conduct a thorough regulatory classification before submission.
• Confirm whether your product is truly non-standardized under existing FSSAI regulations.
• Justify the chosen category with technical reasoning and evidence.

Accurate classification avoids unnecessary additional data requests and aligns your submission with the correct regulatory framework.

6. Labeling Discrepancies and Claim Conflicts

Why It Causes Rejection

Inconsistencies between the proposed label, product claims, and scientific support are common sources of rejection. If your label contains statements not supported in your dossier or vice versa, officials may interpret this as misleading or non-compliant.

How to Avoid It

• Ensure label claims match the claim language in your application.
• Validate nutritional, health, and functional claims against submitted evidence.
• Pre-review labels for compliance with FSSAI format and field requirements.

A compliant label serves as a mirror of your dossier’s narrative and enhances regulatory confidence.

7. Missing Stability and Shelf-Life Information

Why It Causes Rejection

FSSAI often requests stability data to ensure that the product remains safe and consistent throughout its intended shelf life. Applications lacking this data may be considered incomplete.

How to Avoid It

• Conduct real-time and accelerated stability studies.
• Track microbial, chemical, sensory, and nutritional changes over time.
• Include standard operating protocols for future stability monitoring.

Adequate stability data supports your product’s safety profile and prevents post-approval issues.

Conclusion: Strategic Preparation Reduces Rejection Risk

Rejections during the FSSAI novel food application process often stem from avoidable gaps in data, documentation, or claim substantiation. By aligning your submission strategy with regulatory expectations — especially when exploring how to get approval for functional food in India or navigating the FSSAI approval process for supplements — you improve your probability of success and reduce costly delays.

If you need expert regulatory support in preparing, reviewing, or submitting non-specified food applications with high compliance confidence, consider professional assistance through FSSAI Non-Specified Application Support.