FSSAI Food Analyst Syllabus 2026

FSSAI Food Analyst Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released the notification for the 11th Food Analyst Examination (11th FAE) 2025-26. The Computer Based Test (CBT) is scheduled for March 8, 2026.

Below is the detailed syllabus and exam pattern for the 11th FAE and Junior Analyst Examination (JAE).

1. Exam Overview

2. Detailed Syllabus (Topic-Wise)

The syllabus covers 7 main subject areas.

I. Food Laws and Standards of India & International Food Laws

• FSS Act, 2006: Definitions, Authorities, Enforcement, Adjudication, and Penalties.
• FSS Rules & Regulations, 2011: Licensing and Registration, Packaging and Labelling, Contaminants, Toxins, and Residues, Food Product Standards, Prohibition and Restriction of Sales.
• International Laws: Role of CODEX Alimentarius Commission, WTO agreements (SPS/TBT), and other international bodies like OIE, IPPC.
• National Bodies: BIS, AGMARK, APEDA, MPEDA.

II. Planning Organization and Setting up of Food Analysis Laboratory

• Accreditation: NABL accreditation, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards for laboratory competence.
• Lab Safety: Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Handling of chemicals (Acids, Flammables), Fire safety, First aid.
• Waste Disposal: Management of chemical and biological waste in the lab.
• Equipment Calibration: Maintenance and calibration of laboratory instruments.

III. Principles of Food Preservation, Processing, and Packaging

• Processing: Cleaning, Sorting, Grading, Mixing, Filtration, Centrifugation.
• Preservation Methods:
  • Heat: Pasteurization, Sterilization, Blanching, UHT.
  • Cold: Chilling, Freezing (Slow vs Fast).
  • Drying: Dehydration, Spray drying, Freeze drying.
  • Others: Radiation, Chemical preservatives, Hurdle technology.
• Packaging: Materials (Glass, Plastic, Metal, Paper), Active and Intelligent packaging, Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP).
• Labelling: Nutritional labelling, Health claims, Allergen warning.

IV. Principles and Basics of Human Nutrition

• Nutrients: Role of Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Vitamins, and Minerals.
• Dietetics: Balanced diet, Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), BMR.
• Deficiency Diseases: Malnutrition (Kwashiorkor, Marasmus), Vitamin deficiencies (Scurvy, Rickets, etc.), Anemia.
• Metabolism: Digestion and absorption of major nutrients.
• Food Safety: Food allergens, Anti-nutritional factors.

V. Food Chemistry

• Water: Water activity ($a_w$), Moisture content, Sorption isotherms.
• Carbohydrates: Classification, Structure, Gelatinization, Retrogradation, Maillard reaction.
• Proteins: Amino acids, Denaturation, Functional properties of proteins.
• Lipids: Fatty acids (SFA, MUFA, PUFA), Rancidity (Oxidative & Hydrolytic), Emulsions.
• Food Additives: Preservatives, Antioxidants, Colors, Flavors, Sweeteners, Stabilizers.
• Adulteration: Detection of common adulterants in Milk, Oil, Spices, Honey, etc.

VI. Food Microbiology and Food Hygiene

• Microorganisms: Bacteria, Yeasts, Molds, Viruses (Morphology and factors affecting growth).
• Food Spoilage: Spoilage of Milk, Meat, Fish, Fruits, and Vegetables.
• Pathogens: Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus, Listeria, Clostridium, Vibrio, etc.
• Food Safety Systems: HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), GMP, GHP.
• Testing Methods: Total Plate Count (TPC), Coliform count, Yeast & Mold count.

VII. Physical, Chemical, and Instrumental Analysis

• Sampling: Sampling plans, Sample preparation, Homogenization.
• Classical Methods: Gravimetry, Titrimetry (Acid-base, Redox, Complexometric), Refractometry.
• Instrumental Techniques:
  • Spectroscopy: UV-Visible, AAS (Atomic Absorption), ICP-MS.
  • Chromatography: TLC, HPLC, GC (Gas Chromatography), LC-MS/MS, GC-MS.
  • Others: pH meter, Conductivity, ELISA, PCR for GMO detection.

3. Exam Pattern Breakdown

Important Dates for 11th FAE 2026

• Application Start Date: December 23, 2025
• Last Date to Apply: January 22, 2026
• CBT Exam Date: March 8, 2026
• Practical Exam Date: April/May 2026 (Tentative)