Delhi High Court Reallocates Dairy Feed Regulation Authority
The recent ruling from the Delhi High Court has clarified the jurisdiction over the regulation of animal feed in India. The Court determined that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) exceeded its mandate by attempting to regulate animal feed, which falls outside its purview of human food safety. The ruling restricts FSSAI to human-centric regulations, thereby assigning the regulation of animal feed to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
This decision arose from a dispute concerning the prohibition of Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) in cattle feed, which FSSAI attempted to enforce under its regulations. The Court found this overreach inconsistent with the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, which defines food as substances intended for human consumption. As a result, the regulation of cattle feed now firmly resides under BIS standards, specifically IS 2052:2009, which outlines the requirements for compounded cattle feed.
Under IS 2052, cattle feed is classified based on nutritional needs, ensuring that feed formulations meet specific criteria for moisture, protein, fat, and fibre content. Aflatoxin levels, a concern for milk exporters to EU and US markets, are also strictly monitored under these standards. This shift aims to better align feed regulations with the practical realities of livestock nutrition, potentially reducing costs for dairy farmers who rely on efficient protein sources like MBM.
For major dairy processors such as Amul and Mother Dairy, this ruling provides a clearer compliance framework, allowing them to demand ISI-certified feed from their suppliers. This change not only stabilizes the regulatory environment but also enhances the traceability of supply chains, improving the integrity and export viability of Indian dairy products.
Overall, the court's decision is seen as a move towards more specialized and scientifically grounded regulation of dairy inputs, promising a more stable and cost-effective framework for India's dairy sector.
