Government agencies all around the globe have stringent policies in place for food labelling and food packaging designs. In India, the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is the authority that mandates the food labelling norms. Whenever a new food product is launched or the packaging gets renewed, the producer needs to adhere to FSSAI guidelines on the labelling of food products.

With so many FSSAI label rules in place, there is every chance for errors creeping in. Any inadvertent mistake in complying with FSSAI food labelling rules may lead to fines, penalties, product recalls, or delays in a scheduled product launch. However, with proper knowledge of the FSSAI labelling rules, you can steer your product clear of all these situations.

In this article we will tell you everything you should know about FSSAI food labelling regulations.

What are the FSSAI Food Labelling Regulations?

The FSSAI guidelines on labelling of food products is a comprehensive set of rules that every food manufacturer and brand must follow. These rules mandate that every packaged food item must be labelled and should provide certain crucial information related to the product and the manufacturer. These are as follows.

1. Name of the food

The name of the product should be mentioned in the label in clear format and font prescribed in the food labelling FSSAI rules.

2. The list of ingredients

The label must mention the elements utilised in making the final food product. The manufacturer should mention all the ingredients of the product fairly and should not keep the end-customers in the dark about any ingredients used therein.

3. Nutritional information

FSSAI labelling rules mandate that the calorie related information related to the food product must be mentioned on its label. It should mention calories received from trans fat, saturated fat, sodium, cholesterol dietary fibre, carbohydrates, protein, sugar, iron, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C contained in the product.

4. Declaration regarding non-vegetarian or vegetarian

In certain parts of India, having non-vegetarian food is considered ‘unholy’ and against the relevant religious practices. Therefore,  FSSAI label rules dictate every manufacturer to mention in the label whether the food product has any non-vegetarian ingredients in it. The label must have a small dot at the corner to indicate if the product is vegetarian or non-vegetarian. A red-coloured dot indicates non-vegetarian food and a green-coloured dot indicates vegetarian food.

5. Declaration regarding food additives used

Additives are substances added to a food product to enhance its appearance and/or taste and to preserve its flavour. The producer must make a declaration on the label regarding the additives used in the product.

6. Name and complete address of the manufacturer

The manufacturer’s name, complete address, and place of manufacturing should be mentioned at a prominent place on the label.

7. Customer care details

The contact details of the customer support centre must be on the label.

8. Quantity

The net quantity or packaged weight of the food product must find a prominent mention on the label.

9. Retail Sale Price

The maximum retail price at which the product on sale should be there.

10. FSSAI logo and license number

As per the FSSAI labelling rules, the FSSAI logo and license number must be mentioned at a prominent place on the label.

11. Batch no/Code no/lot no

These numbers provide authenticity about the manufacturer of the product and hence should mention on the label.

12. Manufacturing Date and the Best Before/use-by date

This is an important piece of information for consumers. It will inform them as to when the product must be consumed. Any consumption after the expiry date may cause harm to the consumer.

13. The instructions for use

The FSSAI labelling rules mandate that the producer must mention the instructions to use the product on its label.

14. Country of origin (for imported food)

According to the FSSAI label rules, the nationality of the food must be mentioned on the labels of all imported foods. This will inform the consumers where the product has been grown, manufactured, or processed.

We have seen many companies often missing out on important aspects related to FSSAI food labelling regulations and languishing in the ‘disapproval’ section. Therefore, it is important for you to give due importance to the FSSAI guidelines on the labelling of food products. Make sure to double-check the labelling for compliance with the FSSAI food labelling before sending it off for the final printing. 

Also read: FSSAI Registration for Retailers

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