Rajasthan High Court Orders Upholding Ban on GM Food Products

23-Oct-2025 05:14 PM

Jaipur. In a significant ruling, the Rajasthan High Court has ordered the Government of India and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) not to allow the import and trade of GM food products and food commodities.

This court order is likely to deal a significant blow to trade talks between India and the United States, as the US is eager to sell its GM corn and soybeans in Indian markets.

The High Court has clearly stated in its decision that the production, marketing, manufacture, distribution, import, and use of GM foods and food-grade products should not be permitted, and the ban should be maintained.

The two-judge bench of the High Court stated in its decision that the government should refrain from taking any new decisions regarding GM food products until the draft regulations under Section 22 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2026, are fully finalized.

According to the Chief Court, standards and health safety protocols for genetically modified and genetically engineered food products should be provided within a specific timeframe.

The petitioner argued that under Section 22 of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), the central government and regulatory authorities are required to first develop regulations and regulations regarding GM food products,

but no notification has yet been issued. In such circumstances, the import and use of GM products cannot be permitted.