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.
Regulation 2.2 restricts the sale of Kesari gram (Lathyrus sativus), Kesari dal, Kesari dal flour and their mixtures with Bengal gram. The restriction applies in a State from the date that State Government specifies by notification. Regulation 2.2.2 then sets a ceiling for khesari dal that turns up incidentally in grams and pulses. Pulse and flour businesses can get their supply records reviewed through FSSAI compliance support.
The text is read as amended up to 23 May 2026 (FSSAI Compendium Version XI dated 02.04.2025, consolidated to the notification of 17 October 2024, and the notification of 23 May 2026 omitting regulation 2.3.14(8)); that later notification does not touch regulation 2.2. FSSAI compendia are reference consolidations and the Gazette text prevails. Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in.
Under regulation 2.2.1, no person in any State may sell, offer or expose for sale, or possess for sale, Kesari gram, Kesari dal, Kesari dal flour or a mixture of any of them with Bengal gram or another gram, dal or flour, from the date the State Government notifies. The same applies to using them as an ingredient in food meant for sale. Regulation 2.2.2, inserted in 2021, says incidentally occurring khesari dal in grams and pulses, including other edible grains, shall not be more than 2%. Pulse traders, millers, packers and caterers are the people affected.
Regulation 2.2.1: what is restricted and from when
The regulation is addressed to "No person in any State". It takes effect "with effect from such date as the state government concerned may by notification in the official gazette specify in this behalf". So the national text does not itself fix a date; each State Government chooses its own. Check the State's Gazette for the notification that applies where you trade.
The acts caught are to sell, offer or expose for sale, or have in possession for the purpose of sale, "under any description" or "for use as an ingredient in the preparation of any article of food intended for sale". The possession limb matters: a godown holding stock for sale is covered even before any sale takes place.
| Clause | Product |
|---|---|
| (a) | Kesari gram (Lathyrus sativus) and its products |
| (b) | Kesari dal (Lathyrus sativus) and its products |
| (c) | Kesari dal flour (Lathyrus sativus) and its products |
| (d) | a mixture of Kesari gram and Bengal-gram (Cicer arietinum) or any other gram |
| (e) | a mixture of Kesari dal and Bengal-gram dal (Cicer arietinum) or any other dal |
| (f) | a mixture of Kesari dal flour and Bengal-gram flour or any other flour |
Clauses (d) to (f) are the adulteration route: kesari dal blended into a dal or besan that looks similar. Because the botanical name is repeated in every clause, a seller cannot escape by using a local trade name.
The vernacular-names Explanation
The Explanation lists the equivalents of Kesari gram in sixteen languages. A few, exactly as printed:
| Serial | Language | Names |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assamese | Khesari, Teora |
| 4 | English | Chikling vetch |
| 5 | Gujarati | Lang |
| 9 | Tamil | Muku |
| 14 | Sanskrit | Sandika, Triputi |
| 16 | Telugu | Lamka |
The Hindi entry alone has thirteen names, and the Marathi entry eight. The list exists so that a local name is no defence: a product sold as "Lakh" in Maharashtra or "Batura" in Bihar is the same product in the eyes of the Regulations.
Regulation 2.2.2: the incidental-presence limit
Regulation 2.2.2 was inserted by the notification dated 12th January, 2021 (note 11 in the compendium). It begins "Notwithstanding the condition at 2.2.1" and says the maximum allowed limits for any incidentally occurring Khesari dal in grams or pulses "shall be not more than 2% including other edible grains".
Three points follow from the words.
- The limit is for incidental presence. It is not a licence to blend Kesari dal on purpose.
- It is stated in per cent. The text gives no basis such as by weight or by count, and the Regulations do not say how the sample is to be taken; the sampling rules are in the Laboratory and Sample Analysis Regulations, 2011, covered in our article on the sampling procedure.
- The words "including other edible grains" are printed as they stand, so the 2% is stated for the grains or pulses together with other edible grains.
An invented example: Hari Om Dal Mill buys mixed field lots, cleans and packs Bengal gram dal. A sample shows a small stray quantity of Kesari dal from the field. Regulation 2.2.2 is the clause that speaks to that case, while a deliberate addition of Kesari dal flour to besan is caught by clause (f) of 2.2.1.
How this fits with the rest of the Regulations
Regulation 2.1.1 deals with admixtures of named products; regulation 2.2 is a separate restriction whose start date is set State by State. The first article of this series, on regulations 1.1, 1.2 and 2.1, shows the full layout. For the Act's rule on naturally occurring toxic substances in food, see section 20 of the FSS Act. The next article in the series covers regulations 2.3.1 to 2.3.13.
Who needs to act
- Millers and dal packers should check their raw-material lots and records against the State notification.
- Wholesalers and godown keepers should note the possession limb of the clause.
- Caterers and sweet makers using besan or mixed flours must not use a flour that contains the restricted items as an ingredient.
If you handle pulses across more than one State, the commencement date may differ, so keep the notification for each State in your compliance file. Our team can map them for you under FSSAI compliance support.
Need help with pulse and flour compliance?
A pulse or flour business that trades in several States has to track each State's start date and keep clean supply records. Our FSSAI compliance support service helps build that file and prepare replies if a sample is questioned.
Key takeaways
- The restriction on Kesari gram, dal, flour and their mixtures starts in each State from the date its Government notifies.
- Possession for sale and use as an ingredient are caught, as well as sale.
- Sixteen languages are listed in the Explanation so that local names do not escape the clause.
- Regulation 2.2.2 sets a not-more-than 2% limit for incidental khesari dal in grams and pulses.
Read next
- Regulations 1.1, 1.2 and 2.1: admixtures that may not be sold
- Regulations 2.3.1 to 2.3.13: specific prohibitions
- Prohibited substances in food under FSSAI rules
- 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.