FSSAI Packaging and Labelling Regulations Explained

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) establishes regulations to ensure that food products are safe, wholesome, and suitable for human consumption. One of the important areas it oversees is food packaging, which is regulated through the issuance of an FSSAI license for food businesses.

If you’re a Food Business Operator (FBO), you must adhere to the FSSAI packaging and labelling regulations. Failure to comply may result in fines, penalties, product recalls, or delays in product launches.

Read on to learn more about the FSSAI food packaging guidelines, requirements, and mandatory declarations.

General Requirements for Pre-Packaged Foods

Some general FSSAI labelling requirements for pre-packaged foods are:

• The product must carry a label with all necessary declarations before being sold to the final consumer. This includes information such as the batch number, nutritional information, best-before date, use-by date, expiry date, and date of manufacturing/packing, as these are mandatory.
• The particulars of the declaration required under the FSSAI regulations must be in either English or Hindi (in the Devnagri script). Additional languages are permitted, but they must not contradict the information in English or Hindi.
• The labels may be written, printed, or contain graphic information. However, they must not conflict with the stipulations set by the FSSAI food packaging regulations.
• The label must not contain false, misleading, or deceptive information that could create an erroneous impression about the product's nature.
• The product label should be applied in such a manner that it cannot easily detach from the container.
• The contents of the label must be clear, unambiguous, and legible.
• If the pre-packaged food comes with an outer wrapper or container, it must include all mandatory declarations on the outer packaging.
• In the case of a transparent multi-unit package containing several retail units, at least one retail unit’s label must visibly show the necessary declarations.

Labelling Requirements for FSSAI Packaged Foods

In addition to the above general requirements, there are specific FSSAI labelling guidelines for packaged goods. These are listed down below:

Name of the Food

According to FSSAI regulations, the name of the food shall include the trade name or description of the food in the package.

List of Ingredients

FSSAI packaging standards require that except for single ingredient foods, a list of ingredients must be declared on the label. Additionally, specific guidelines on how each ingredient should be mentioned in the list, such as highlighting allergens.

Nutritional Information

FSSAI guidelines for food packaging make it mandatory to include nutritional information per 100 gm, 100 ml, or per serving size. This information must include details such as energy value, protein, fat, carbohydrate content (with sugar), and other essential nutrients as applicable.

Declaration of Whether the Product Is Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian

A food business must declare if the product is vegetarian or non-vegetarian with the specific symbol set by the FSSAI food packaging regulations.

FSSAI Logo and License Number

The FSSAI logo and the license number must be displayed on the label to authenticate that the food business holds a valid FSSAI license.

Additional Details

Other necessary information to be included are:

• Net quantity
• Retail sale price (MRP)
• Customer care contact information

Labelling of Imported FSSAI Foods

In the case of imported foods, the FSSAI license mandates the following information to be provided:

• Country of origin
• Instructions for use in handling and consuming the product
• Declaration on food allergens

Complying with these FSSAI packaging and labelling regulations proves the product’s overall safety and quality assurance.

Mandatory Declarations: Clear Information on Ingredients and Additives

To ensure transparent communication of food composition, FSSAI’s new rules for packaging require that its mandatory declarations be:

• Legible and prominent, definite, plain, and unambiguous
• The size, number, and colour of the text must make the information stand out on the label

FSSAI also retains the authority to modify, delete, or add ingredients, additives, and declarations as per evolving safety and regulatory requirements.

Exemptions for Small Packages

FSSAI acknowledges diversity in packaging sizes and thus has exemptions in certain requirements for small packages. The packaging of these foods:

• Must have a surface area of less than 100 cm2.
• May exclude ingredient lists, nutritional information, food additives declaration, etc.

However, it is important to note that in the case of multi-unit packages (where multiple small packages are grouped together), all mandatory information must be provided on at least one unit, including ingredients and nutritional information.

Labelling Requirements for Non-Retail Containers

FSSAI regulations require that non-retail containers (i.e., containers not intended for direct sale to consumers) display the following information on the label: 

• Name of the food 
• Net quantity 
• FSSAI logo and the FSSAI license number 
• Date marking 
• Lot number 
• Manufacturer/packer details including
  • Name 
  • Address 
  • Country of origin (in case of imported foods) 
• Accompanying documents like:
  • List of ingredients 
  • Declaration of veg or non-veg
  • Nutritional information 
  • Brand owner’s address 
  • License number (if different from the brand owner) 
• A prominent declaration stating "Not for retail sale" 

Labelling of Food Additives

FSSAI requires that food additives be labelled with their specific name as mentioned in the FSSAI Regulations, 2011. Additionally, the label must include the declaration “FOR USE IN FOOD” to indicate that the additive is approved for use in food products.

Conclusion

To ensure your food manufacturing business maintains a valid FSSAI license, it is necessary to comply with the FSSAI packaging and labelling regulations.

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