Rajit Punhani Appointed as FSSAI CEO, Faces Crucial Deadline on Food Labelling Rules

Rajit Punhani, a 1991-batch IAS officer of the Bihar cadre, has officially taken charge as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on 1 September 2025. He succeeds GKV Rao, who retired on 31 August 2025.

With more than three decades of administrative experience, Punhani has served across the Centre, state governments, and international platforms. His previous roles include Secretary in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Secretary, Rajya Sabha, CEO of Sansad TV, and Principal Secretary in the Government of Bihar.

Academically, Punhani holds an Economics degree from St Stephen’s College, Delhi, and an MBA in Finance from IIM Bangalore. His diverse governance background is expected to strengthen the FSSAI’s role in regulating India’s food safety and nutrition standards.

Supreme Court Deadline for Food Labelling Rules

Punhani’s appointment comes at a critical time, as the Supreme Court of India has directed the FSSAI to finalise and implement front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) regulations. These rules will require packaged food companies to clearly display sugar, salt, and saturated fat content on the front of their product labels.

The regulations aim to help consumers make healthier food choices in a country struggling with rising lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

Deadline Extended to October 2025

Originally, the FSSAI was expected to finalise the food labelling rules by July 2025. However, after reviewing industry and public health feedback, the regulator sought more time.

The Supreme Court granted a final extension until October 2025, instructing the FSSAI’s expert committee to submit its report within this period. The Court has warned that failure to meet the new deadline will invite strict action.

Criticism Over Delays

Health activists and consumer rights groups have criticised the FSSAI for stalling the implementation of front-of-pack labelling rules. The draft regulations were first published in September 2022, but despite more than two years of consultations and over 14,000 stakeholder comments, the final framework is yet to be enforced.

Public health experts argue that delayed food labelling rules directly impact consumer awareness and could worsen India’s nutrition crisis.

What’s Next for Rajit Punhani and FSSAI

As the new FSSAI CEO, Rajit Punhani faces the twin challenges of ensuring timely compliance with Supreme Court deadlines and balancing industry concerns with public health priorities.

The coming months will be crucial, as the FSSAI must deliver a clear, science-backed, and consumer-friendly labelling policy by October 2025.