In Jainism, “Abhaksha” (more correctly: Abhakshya / Abhakṣya) means:

Food that should NOT be eaten. It is forbidden food because:

• It causes a lot of violence (himsa) to living beings, or
• It increases passions, carelessness and spiritual downfall, or
• It is impure / harmful for body and mind.

So Jain food is divided in two main types:

1. Bhakshya – eatable, allowed food
2. Abhakshya – non‑eatable, not allowed food

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Main idea behind Abhakshya

Jain Acharyas say: If a food has any of these problems, it becomes Abhakshya:

1. Trās-ghāt – destroys mobile beings (jiv with 2–5 senses) in large numbers

- e.g. honey, meat, five udumbar fruits (fig, etc.), many microorganisms in some items.

1. Bahu-ghāt – contains or kills very many living beings

- e.g. root vegetables (potato, onion, garlic, etc.), some many‑seeded fruits, highly infested items.

1. Pramād‑vardhak / Nashak – makes the mind dull, careless or intoxicated

- e.g. liquor, drugs, tobacco, etc.

1. Anishta / Anupasevya – impure or not fit for a sadhu / gentleman

- e.g. things mixed with saliva, filth, or very unhealthy, rotten, stale food.

1. Spiritually dangerous – items that strongly pull the mind towards attachment and passions.

Because of this, Jain Shravaks and Shravikas take vows to avoid Abhakshya food (often listed as 22 types of Abhakshya in both Digambar and Shvetambar texts, with small differences in exact items).

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In very simple words

Abhakshya food = any food that is forbidden in Jain Dharma because it creates heavy sin, harms many living beings, or badly affects our character and spiritual progress.