Capital Gains Tax in India 2025: Rates, STCG, LTCG & Indexation
16 Jun, 2025
By Online Legal India
Published On 03 Apr 2021
Updated On 14 May 2025
Category FSSAI
The FSSAI Food Labelling Guidelines provide mandatory rules for food businesses in India to ensure consumer safety and transparency. These guidelines cover essential aspects like ingredient listing, nutritional information, allergen declarations, FSSAI license number, manufacturer details, and best-before dates. They aim to prevent misleading claims and promote informed consumer choices. Compliance with these labelling norms is crucial for packaged food manufacturers, importers, and sellers to avoid penalties and build consumer trust in line with the Food Safety and Standards Act.
FSSAI food labelling refers to the set of rules and guidelines established by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that govern how packaged food products must be labelled in India. These regulations ensure that consumers receive accurate, clear, and essential information about the food they buy, such as its ingredients, nutritional value, safety standards, and more. The goal is to promote transparency, support informed choices, and maintain trust in the quality and safety of food products sold in the market.
Listed below are the mandatory information that need to be included on Food Labels:
You must mention the exact name of your product on the front label. It should clearly reflect what’s inside so your customers know exactly what they are picking up.
List every ingredient you use, starting with the one present in the largest amount. This helps consumers understand the makeup of your product and identify anything they may wish to avoid.
Share nutritional values for every 100g or 100ml—energy, protein, carbs, sugars, fat types, cholesterol, sodium, and fibre. This data empowers your customers to make healthier food choices.
Mark your product with the right symbol—a green dot for vegetarian or a brown triangle for non-vegetarian. This small sign carries major value for consumer beliefs and food habits.
If your product includes additives, state their names and functional categories clearly. This transparency protects consumer safety and showcases your commitment to quality.
Always include your business’s name and address. It provides accountability and builds trust, which in turn portrays accountability.
Print the FSSAI logo and your license number where it is easily visible. This certification proves that the food follows the FSSAI safety standards.
Declare the net weight or volume of your product. Customers want to know exactly how much they are paying for, without any packaging tricks.
Mention the batch or lot number. If there's ever an issue, this number allows easy tracking and ensures fast resolution.
Include the date you packed or manufactured the product. It lets buyers judge freshness, which plays a key role in their buying decisions.
Tell your consumers how long your product will remain at its best and until when it should be consumed. These dates ensure safety and satisfaction.
If your product is imported, let your customers know where it comes from. Origin often influences buying choices and adds a layer of honesty.
Add clear usage or storage instructions when needed. These tips help your buyers use the product safely and enjoy it at its best.
Listed below are the Front-of-Pack Labelling (FoPL) requirements:
You need to treat the Principal Display Panel as your product’s handshake with the buyer. This front-facing area must clearly show vital details like the product name, net weight, and FSSAI license number. Make sure it covers a significant portion of the package so your product speaks loud and clear from the shelf.
You must follow strict size and contrast rules to ensure your label remains easy to read. Apply bold, oversized fonts that pop against the background. Place information where eyes naturally land. You should not hide it in corners or under folds. Your packaging should shout accuracy, not whisper confusion.
You will place the Information Panel on the side or back of your package. This section should include all specifics such as ingredients, nutritional facts, usage directions, and storage advice. Keep it clean, structured, and readable so your customers never have to guess what’s inside.
FSSAI mandates that the information on the label must be in English or Hindi, along with any regional language(s) based on the market. Ensure you include the relevant language to cater to the target audience.
If you are making any claims like "low fat," "sugar-free," or "organic," these should be substantiated with proper evidence. FSSAI requires that such claims be backed up by facts, or else they could be considered misleading.
Certain food products, like beverages containing caffeine, alcoholic drinks, and high-fat items, need additional warnings or disclaimers. For example, beverages with high caffeine content should carry a warning about their consumption for children, pregnant women, etc.
While not strictly mandatory under FSSAI, having a barcode or QR code on your packaging can improve the consumer experience and make your product easily traceable in supply chains.
With increasing awareness around sustainability, consumers are looking for eco-friendly packaging. Including information on recyclable or biodegradable materials used can enhance your brand's appeal.
There are unique labelling requirements for packaged drinking water that include details like the source of water, the treatment process, and whether it’s safe for consumption without further purification.
Listed below are the labelling guidelines for special category foods:
You must label your product as a "HEALTH SUPPLEMENT" or "NUTRACEUTICAL" prominently. Clearly state the common name and specify the amount of each nutrient or substance with a nutritional or physiological effect. Include a warning: "NOT FOR MEDICINAL USE" and advise consumers not to exceed the recommended daily usage. Ensure the label mentions that the product is not a substitute for a varied diet and should be kept out of reach of children.
For organic products, you need to display the Jaivik Bharat logo and certification details from an accredited agency. Fortified foods must carry the words "fortified with [name of the fortificant]" along with the F+ logo. If your product is fortified with iron, include a statement: "People with Thalassemia may take under medical supervision and persons with Sickle Cell Anaemia are advised not to consume iron fortified food products."
When labelling infant foods, avoid using images of infants or women and refrain from terms like "humanised" or "maternalised." State preparation instructions, including a warning to use boiled and cooled water and to discard any leftover product. Specify the protein efficiency ratio (PER) and ensure the label complies with the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992.
If you're importing food products, ensure the label includes the FSSAI logo and license number, along with the name and address of the importer. Labels must be in English or Hindi, and any rectifications to non-compliant labels should be made at the port of entry before customs clearance.
You must clearly label products intended for specific dietary needs, such as those for individuals with diabetes, celiac disease, or other medical conditions. Include statements like "For the dietary management of [specific condition]" and ensure that the product is used under medical supervision. Provide detailed nutritional information and usage instructions to guide consumers effectively.
If your product is entirely free from animal-derived ingredients, you should display the official vegan logo introduced by FSSAI. This symbol helps consumers easily identify vegan products and make informed choices aligned with their dietary preferences.
For products classified under Ayurveda Aahara, ensure compliance with the specific labelling requirements outlined in the FSSAI's Ayurveda Aahara regulations. This includes displaying the appropriate logo and providing information about the Ayurvedic ingredients and their intended health benefits.
When labelling alcoholic beverages, you must include the alcohol content by volume, a statutory warning such as "Consumption of alcohol is injurious to health," and avoid any misleading claims about health benefits. Ensure that the labels comply with the FSSAI's specific regulations for alcoholic beverages.
For proprietary foods, which are not standardised under existing regulations, you need to clearly state the nature and composition of the product. Include a declaration that the product is proprietary and provide detailed information about its ingredients and nutritional content.
10.Mention the Sugar Content
You must mention the sugar content on your food labels, as per FSSAI rules. This helps your customers make informed, healthier choices, especially those watching their sugar intake or managing diabetes. It builds trust and shows that you care about their well-being.
When you deal with non-retail containers which are not meant for bulk supply or institutional use must follow specific FSSAI labelling rules. These labels help maintain transparency, ensure food safety, and enable smooth traceability across the supply chain. Listed below are the labelling requirements for Non-retail containers:
Mention the exact name of your food product. This makes it easy for handlers to recognise the contents instantly.
Show the weight or volume in standard units. This gives a precise idea of how much product the container holds.
Include your FSSAI logo along with the 14-digit license number. This confirms that your product complies with national food safety standards.
Print both the manufacturing and expiry dates. This keeps quality control in check and ensures your product stays within the safe-to-use timeline.
Assign a distinct batch or lot number. This makes product tracking and recall management quick and effective.
Mention the full name and address of the manufacturer or packer. If your product comes from abroad, include the country of origin.
Display “NOT FOR RETAIL SALE” boldly. This indicates the package is not meant for direct consumer purchase.
If space runs short on the label, you can include the list of ingredients, nutritional facts, and vegetarian/non-vegetarian status in a supporting document.
When you use a Barcode or GSTIN, you can skip printing the brand owner’s address and the license number of marketers or packers.
Label the package with phrases like “NON-RETAIL CONTAINER” or “NOT FOR DIRECT SALE TO CONSUMER” if the purpose isn’t already obvious.
If labelling the container isn't practical, share all mandatory details electronically or through shipping documents. This ensures the information still reaches the next food business in the chain.
If you fail to follow FSSAI labelling rules, you don’t just risk minor setbacks—you face serious consequences that could shake your entire business. Listed below are the penalties for non-compliance with FSSAI labelling regulations:
If your product falls short of FSSAI standards, you could be fined up to ?5 lakhs. Misleading labels may cost you ?3 lakhs, and false advertisements can invite fines as high as ?10 lakhs.
Repeated non-compliance could lead to suspension or even cancellation of your FSSAI license. Without it, you can’t legally manufacture, distribute, or sell food products in India.
Distributing wrongly labelled products may force you into a costly product recall. This not only drains your resources but also stains your reputation in the eyes of retailers and consumers.
If your labelling errors endanger public health, you could face legal action, including criminal charges or imprisonment under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Once customers doubt your product's safety, regaining their trust becomes difficult. One mistake can tarnish your brand image and push loyal buyers toward competitors.
You may need to reprint packaging, relabel existing stock, and handle returned goods. These hidden costs eat into your profits and delay your time-to-market.
International markets follow strict labelling norms. If your packaging doesn’t meet those standards, you risk losing export opportunities and potential global partners.
Even small labelling errors can lead to major setbacks, which can range from regulatory penalties to customer distrust. To ensure compliance and build lasting credibility, you should avoid the mistakes listed below:
A label without the essential information, like the FSSAI license number, logo, batch code or expiry date, leads to immediate violation of compliance. Hence, it is important to cross-check every required detail before sending a product to market
Incorrect calorie counts or misleading nutrient values create trust issues and attract penalties. Therefore, it is important to verify every figure through certified lab testing to ensure authenticity and accuracy
The font sizes that are too small or misplace logos decreases readability and fails the regulatory checks. Hence it is important to follow FSSAI’s guidelines on size, positioning and visual clarity without compromise.
Statements like “prevents cancer” or “cures diabetes” without scientific backing invite legal trouble. You should only add health-related claims that are backed by evidence and authorised sources.
Omitting allergens such as milk, nuts, or gluten can put consumers at serious risk. You need to ensure that the labels always declare allergens prominently to ensure safety and build consumer trust.
Using the wrong symbol or placing it in the wrong spot confuses customers and violates labelling norms. You should ensure that the correct symbols are used with proper colour coding and size.
Printing text in low-contrast colours such as yellow on white makes information difficult to read. You should use bold, contrasting colours that enhance readability and appeal
Exporting products without meeting international labelling standards can lead to rejection at borders. Hence, you need to conduct detailed research and apply destination-specific regulations for every export batch.
Using broad terms like “flavours” or “spices” instead of listing exact ingredients reduces transparency. Therefore, you should disclose all ingredients in descending order to foster consumer trust.
Using old labelling formats or standards can result in non-compliance. Regularly review updates from FSSAI and implement them without delay to keep your products current and legal.
Conclusion
To sum up, in the competitive food industry, following FSSAI labelling guidelines is crucial for your business. It shows your commitment to quality, transparency, and consumer safety while helping you avoid penalties. Accurate labels build trust and ensure compliance with regulations.
While FSSAI guidelines may seem overwhelming to understand, expert guidance can make the process much simpler. Among other online platforms, Online Legal India specialises in FSSAI registration and offers expert support to make the process simple. They guide you through the registration process, ensuring your business meets all requirements and gains customer trust.
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