The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is working on new norms for organic food. In the interim, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) will certify foods meant for export.

Exporters require APEDA’s approval, but in the absence of norms from the apex food regulator, APEDA’s certificate would help organic food enter foreign territory.

A K Yadav, advisor, National Agricultural Board (NAB) (Organic), APEDA, stated, “From now onwards all food business operators (FBOs) who export organic food would require APEDA’s approval, for which a certificate will be provided to the concerned FBO.”

However, that is not the case with domestic sellers. Yadav added, “As of now, food businesses selling their organic food in the domestic market are not liable for certification, as the food regulator is working on regulations on organic food.”

“Once regulations are issued in this regard, it may also direct domestic food businesses to seek certification, which will authenticate that the products are organic,” he said.

FSSAI is expected to put forth the draft in the coming month. Sources said that the draft note for consultation was ready.

It is estimated that the organic food market is worth approximately Rs 3,000 crore, and is growing in double digits.