Raw cashew nuts remain under “foods not specified” according to FSSAI standards.

     According to the Food Safety Standards Authority of India, raw cashew nuts remain under “foods not specified” and standards for the same may be implemented till further notification. This has been decided after examining the standards of raw cashew nuts while considering its significant import.

    FSSAI has administered all the Authorized officers to ease the import of raw cashew nuts by ensuring consent to the horizontal standards as laid out in FSS (Contaminants, Toxins & Residues) Regulations, 2011; and most importantly by considering them under “foods not specified”.

    The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has reiterated that raw cashew nuts continue to fall under the regulatory classification of “foods not specified”. This ongoing status means specific, vertical standards remain absent for this key agricultural commodity, a position that has persisted for several years.

 

Industry Impact and Concern

    The lack of specific standards has been a long-standing point of contention for the cashew processing and export sectors. Industry bodies argue that the "foods not specified" category often leads to regulatory ambiguities, potential delays in cargo clearance at ports, and unnecessary additional costs. They advocate for the FSSAI to either frame dedicated standards for raw cashews or formally classify them as an industrial raw material.

Current Regulatory Stance

    FSSAI officials maintain that the current approach is a necessary, temporary measure to ensure safety and facilitate the significant volume of raw cashew imports without disrupting the supply chain. Authorized officers at various ports of entry have received directives to process consignments based on the existing general standards.

    While FSSAI's scientific panel has reportedly reviewed the standards in the past, a formal notification establishing vertical standards for raw cashew nuts has yet to be issued as of this report. The food industry continues to monitor the situation closely, hoping for a definitive resolution that streamlines trade and regulatory compliance.