From Banned to Breakfast: FSSAI Approves Hemp Seeds, Oil, and Flour in India, 2021
A landmark FSSAI decision gives hemp seeds the green light as food, unlocking India’s superfood future.
In November 2021, FSSAI gave India’s hemp industry a historic boost by approving hemp seeds, oil, and flour as food products — a landmark in hemp legalisation India 2021 and a turning point for plant-based superfoods.
India’s hemp journey crossed a historic milestone in November 2021 when the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) cleared hemp seeds, hemp seed oil, and hemp seed flour for consumption.
The ruling applies only to Cannabis sativa plants containing less than 0.3% THC, but it was enough to transform hemp from a fringe ingredient into an officially recognized plant-based superfood.
For startups and food brands, the approval opened doors to expand hemp nutrition lines — from hemp protein powders to cold-pressed oils and functional flours. For consumers, it meant a long-taboo ingredient was now on supermarket shelves with full regulatory backing.
Industry players hailed it as the “biggest regulatory win for hemp legalisation India 2021,” setting the stage for rapid growth in food, wellness, and nutrition markets. The approval also aligned India with global trends, where hemp is already valued for its protein, vitamins, omega fatty acids, and sustainability benefits.
Reference
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hemp-the-new-game-changer-in-india-s-food-and-beverage-industry-breaking-conventional-notions-and-challenging-palates-101685346869122.html
https://law.asia/fssai-hemp-industry/
