India's food safety regulator, FSSAI, has implemented stricter approval norms for new food products, effective January 1. Companies must now provide comprehensive scientific evidence, including nutritional data, consumption patterns, and toxicology studies, to demonstrate product safety. While this data will be kept confidential, the move aims to curb unsubstantiated claims and ensure robust risk assessment, placing the onus of proof squarely on manufacturers. The revised framework also introduces a standardized submission format and emphasizes data relevant to Indian dietary habits.