Regulation 2 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Clause 1 of regulation 2.2.1 sets a Table of limits for crop contaminants in listed foods, in micrograms per kilogram. The Table lists six contaminants: total aflatoxins, aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin M1, ochratoxin A, patulin and deoxynivalenol. It sits in regulation 2.2, "Crop contaminants and naturally occurring toxic substances". Grain, nut and spice businesses can get reports mapped to it through FSSAI compliance support.
This article reads the text as amended up to 14 May 2026 (FSSAI Compendium Version IX dated 03.02.2026, consolidated to the notification of 17 October 2024; the Amendment Regulations, 2026 of 14 May 2026 apply from 1 December 2026). FSSAI compendia are reference consolidations and the Gazette text prevails. Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in.
Clause 1 says no article of food specified in column (3) of the Table shall contain any crop contaminant specified in the corresponding entry in column (2) in excess of the quantities in column (4). Limits are in µg/kg, the substituted Table dating from 7 August 2020 and amended on 17 October 2024. Total aflatoxins, aflatoxin B1 and aflatoxin M1 are serial 1, 2 and 3. From 1 December 2026 the oilseeds and oil entries against serial 1 and 2 are reworded. Grain, nut, spice, dairy and juice businesses are affected.
The structure of the Table
The Table has four columns: (1) serial number, (2) name of the contaminant, (3) article of the food and (4) limit in µg/kg. A contaminant usually has several food lines under one serial number, so a figure belongs to the food line next to it and not to the contaminant as a whole.
| Serial | Contaminant | Foods named (summary of the lines) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Total Aflatoxins | cereal products, dried figs, arecanut, nuts, oilseeds or oil, pulses, spices, foods containing them |
| 2 | Aflatoxin B1 | the same food lines as serial 1 |
| 3 | Aflatoxin M1 | liquid milk and milk powders |
| 4 | Ochratoxin A | wheat, wheat bran, rye, barley, coffee |
| 5 | Patulin | apple juice and apple juice used as an ingredient in other beverages |
| 6 | Deoxynivalenol | wheat, wheat bran, barley |
Sample entries exactly as printed (limit in µg/kg)
| Serial and contaminant | Article of food | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Total Aflatoxins | Cereal and cereal products | 15 |
| 1 Total Aflatoxins | Spices/Spice Mix | 30 |
| 2 Aflatoxin B1 | Cereal and cereal products | 10 |
| 2 Aflatoxin B1 | Spices/Spice Mix | 15 |
| 3 Aflatoxin M1 | Milk (Liquid) | 0.5 |
| 4 Ochratoxin A | Wheat, wheat bran, rye, barley, coffee | 5 |
| 5 Patulin | Apple juice | 50 |
| 6 Deoxynivalenol | Wheat, wheat bran, barley | 1000 |
The Table also prints lines for nuts (for further processing and ready to eat), oilseeds, pulses, dried figs, arecanut or betelnut, milk powders, and "Food product containing any of the above mentioned food articles". The wording of each line is in the compendium and should be read there for the exact food and figure.
Reading a line with sub-headings
Two entries use a heading with sub-lines. Under both serial 1 and 2 the foods "Nuts:" and "Oilseeds or oil:" carry sub-lines, "Nuts for further processing" and "Ready to eat" in the first case and "Oilseeds for further processing" and "Ready to eat" in the second. A processor therefore has to decide whether its product is meant for further processing or ready to eat before it picks the line.
An invented example: Bharat Nut Foods roasts and packs peanuts for retail, a ready-to-eat product. The lab report for aflatoxin B1 is read against the "Ready to eat" line under "Nuts" in serial 2, while a lot that goes to another factory for further processing is read against the "Nuts for further processing" line.
Amendments to the Table
The compendium marks the Table as substituted by the notification of 7 August 2020 (footnote 15). The ochratoxin A line for wheat, wheat bran, rye, barley and coffee, and the deoxynivalenol line for wheat, wheat bran and barley, carry footnote 16, the notification of 17 October 2024.
Notified change, in force from 1 December 2026
The Contaminants, Toxins and Residues Amendment Regulations, 2026 (14 May 2026) apply from 1st December, 2026. Until then, the text above stands. From that date, in the Table in clause 1 of regulation 2.2.1:
- Against serial number 1 (Total Aflatoxins), column (3), the words "Oilseeds or oil: Oilseeds for further processing Ready to eat" are replaced by "Oils, and Oilseeds for further processing" and "Ready to eat oilseeds".
- Against serial number 2 (Aflatoxin B1), column (3), the same substitution is made.
The amendment text gives no new figure for these lines. The change is to the description of the foods: oils are named in the first line and the ready-to-eat line is for oilseeds. A producer of edible oils or oilseeds should compare its product description against the new wording before 1 December 2026. A further change to serial 4 in clause 2 of the same regulation is covered in our article on natural toxins, PCBs and PAH.
Who is affected and what to do
- Processors and packers of cereals, nuts, oilseeds, pulses and spices need a lab report that names the right line.
- Dairies and milk powder plants read serial 3.
- Juice and coffee makers read serials 4 and 5.
- Importers can read these limits with the Import Regulations articles in this series.
The product-specific standards in the sister cluster may add their own requirements; this Table is the contaminant limit. For a general overview see contaminant limits in food: heavy metals and aflatoxins. The metal Table is in our article on metal contaminants. Businesses that need support in handling a failed sample can approach FSSAI compliance support.
Need help with aflatoxin and crop contaminant limits?
A single lab report can sit against several lines of this Table, and the wording of the food line decides which limit applies. Our FSSAI compliance support service helps you map your products to the right line and prepare supplier specifications.
Key takeaways
- Clause 1 uses a four-column Table in µg/kg for six crop contaminants.
- Total aflatoxins, aflatoxin B1 and aflatoxin M1 are serial 1, 2 and 3; ochratoxin A is 4, patulin 5, deoxynivalenol 6.
- Pick the right food line, for example "for further processing" or "Ready to eat".
- From 1 December 2026 the oilseed and oil descriptions under serial 1 and 2 are reworded; no new figure is printed.
Read next
- Regulation 2.2.1(2) and (3): natural toxins, PCBs and benzo(a)pyrene
- Regulations 1.1, 1.2 and 2.1: metal contaminants
- Contaminant limits in food: heavy metals and aflatoxins
- Section 20, FSS Act: contaminants and naturally occurring toxic substances
Disclaimer: Based on the FSSAI regulations named above as consolidated in FSSAI's compendium versions or as published in the Gazette, with the later notifications the article names (consulted on fssai.gov.in on 2-3 October 2026). Later notifications and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provisions referred to should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.