New Delhi || 12-11-2024 Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush released a special issue of the research publication of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, the Journal of Drug Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (JDRAS) on Monday.
Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS, and senior officials and researchers of the Council were also present on the occasion.
The special edition of JDRAS is dedicated to the emerging field of Ayurveda Aahara. It represents a significant step forward in the Ayush Ministry’s ongoing efforts to bridge traditional Ayurvedic dietary wisdom with modern scientific understanding.
Highlighting the significance of scientific research in food science and nutrition, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said “Addressing today’s food-related challenges requires innovative, science-backed solutions rooted in tradition. Our research on Ayurveda Aahara offers valuable insights for preventive health, linking ancient dietary wisdom with modern science to foster sustainable and nutritious practices for contemporary society.”
Alignment with India’s age-old traditions of Ayurveda, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in consultation with the Ministry of Ayush, introduced the Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahara) Regulations, 2022.
These regulations, officially notified on May 5, 2022, formally define “Ayurveda Aahara” as food prepared according to the recipes, ingredients, or processes described in authoritative Ayurveda texts.
The regulations aim to safeguard the identity and authenticity of Ayurveda-based dietary practices, preserving the original principles of Ayurveda food preparation. As part of these efforts, FSSAI has also launched a unique logo for Ayurveda Aahara, unveiled on June 7, 2022.
India’s leading institution in Ayurveda research, CCRAS has been pivotal in advancing Ayurveda Aahara through various scientific initiatives and validation projects. CCRAS is actively documenting and validating traditional food recipes, studying the health impacts of specific medicinal plants used in ethnic diets, and standardizing recipes to establish protocols that align with modern dietary practices.
Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS, said, “Our research on Ayurveda Aahara has gained international recognition, highlighting the value of Ayurveda’s dietary practices in modern food science. With FSSAI now recognizing Ayurveda Aahara, CCRAS is at the forefront, aligning traditional wisdom with global health priorities to offer sustainable, science-backed nutritional solutions for today’s challenges.”
The Thousand years old traditional wisdom of Ayurveda recognizes food as a foundation for health and wellness. This understanding, which has long guided communities in making healthy dietary choices, is now supported by the Ministry of Ayush and FSSAI’s regulatory framework.
CCRAS’s extensive research initiatives highlight how Ayurveda Aahara can meet modern public health demands. With projects focusing on validating recipes and ingredients, CCRAS aims to bring scientifically proven benefits of Ayurveda Aahara into mainstream dietary practices, helping individuals make healthier, informed choices.
