Edible common salt used in standardized food products must be iodised, as per FSSAI regulations, except for specifically permitted uses and exemptions.

Frequently Asked Question Q.

Whether use of Iodised Salt is mandatory in standardized products, which specify the use of Edible Common Salt?

A. As per the provisions of FSS (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations, 2011, sub-regulation 2.3.12: Restriction on sale of common salt “No person shall sell or offer or expose for sale or have in his premises for the purpose of sale, common salt for direct human consumption or for use as an ingredient in a food product unless the same is iodized, Provided that common salt may be sold or exposed for sale or stored for sale for iodization, iron fortification, animal use, preservation not meant for direct consumption, for infant food products, manufacturing medicines and industrial use under proper label declarations, as specified in the provisions of regulation 2.4.4 of Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and labelling) Regulations, 2011.” The above provisions restrict the sale and consumption common salt for direct human consumption or for use as an ingredient in a food product unless the same is iodized, except only for the specific exemptions as mentioned above. Therefore, in the food product standards which specify the use of edible common salt as an ingredient, the edible common salt refers to Iodized Salt only.

Note: - The standards of Iodized Salt have been specified under FSS (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2018, wherein Salt shall have the same meaning as that of ‘Edible Common Salt’ defined and standardized under FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 along with the laid down quality parameters specified therein.