One nation, one papad: The quest for food uniformity threatens India’s peace and progress

Those who have experienced Malayalam food know that papadam as they are called in Malayalam is different from other papads. Image used for representational purposes. | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

A recent change in the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulation regarding the moisture content of papad – a humble yet widely pan-Indian food – has created the peculiar situation of undermining Kerala’s culinary autonomy. The new FSSAI rules mandate that the moisture content should not exceed 15% of the total weight of the papad. The intentions of the office are pure. Higher moisture content can lead to hygiene or even health problems. Lower moisture content leads to longer shelf life and less chance of contamination.

The rule of law is based on the standardization of measurements, regulations and definitions. It is also a perfectly legitimate argument that the whole country should have the same laws or the same rules – one country, one rule. Intentions are always pure. Just like the Election Commission of India is trying to “cleanse” the electoral roll, no less.

Published – 26 Oct 2026 17:41 IST