FSSAI Labelling Regulations For Indian Food And Drink Products
FSSAI Labelling Regulations for Food Products in India
Food labelling in the food industry is not only mandatory but a very significant step toward safety and transparency among the consumers of these products. For food and beverage products in India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is responsible for the rules and regulation related to food labelling. These regulations are made to make sure that the food manufacturer gives accurate and adequate information about his/her product.
It becomes necessary for the food producer to know the rules set by FSSAI regarding food labelling because the ignorance of these regulations will result in penalties, product recalls and many other legal consequences for the manufacturer. This blog post acts as a guide to FSSAI labelling regulations. It includes information about the important rules related to food packaging in India.
What Is FSSAI?
FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is a government agency in India that ensures the safety and quality of food products in the country. FSSAI is responsible for the manufacture, packing, labelling, and sale of food products.
Why Is FSSAI Labelling Regulations Important?
FSSAI labelling rules are important for many reasons, namely:
Consumer Protection: Effective and informative labelling helps ensure that consumers have the correct information about the food products, which includes the ingredient list, nutrition facts, allergen information, and expiry date.
Transparency: Labelling will help the manufacturers ensure transparency within the food industry.
Legal Compliance: The violation of FSSAI rules may result in penalties and fines. Labelling is an essential legal requirement according to the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
Key FSSAI Labelling Regulations For Food Products
1. General Labeling Requirements
The FSSAI has laid down detailed guidelines on the labeling of foods, which all food producers are required to follow.
Language: Labels should be in English or Hindi written in the Devanagari Script. Regional languages may also be used; however, the primary language used on labels should be English/Hindi and should not contradict the regional languages.
Legibility: Information should be clearly visible and not removable. It should be legible by the consumer at the time of purchase and consumption.
2. Product Name
The product name should be appropriate for the kind of food that it is. Sometimes, in case there is no proper name, then a generic name may also be considered. The name of the food item must not be misleading and should conform to the Food Safety and Standards Regulations
3. Ingredients List
In most processed foods, it is mandatory that the list of ingredients is specified. The list should always appear in the order of decreasing weight or volume. The FSSAI regulations also state that the food additives or other substances should be clearly listed. Of utmost importance is the listing of any ingredients which act as allergens such as milk, peanuts, and soy.
Allergens: It is important to declare certain allergens as per the FSSAI guidelines. Some of the allergens include wheat (gluten), eggs, milk, peanuts, and fish
4. Nutritional Information
In addition to this, food labels should also have nutritional values per 100g or per portion, calculated according to standard requirements for an adult diet. The following are the essential nutrients that should be included in the label:
Energy (kcal)
Fat (total, saturated, and trans fat)
Carbohydrates (total and sugars)
Proteins
Sodium (mg)
For those items that have fortification, the added nutrient(s) should also be listed.
5. Date Marking
Date marking consists of the date of manufacture, the expiry date, and the use by date. While the date of manufacture and the date of packaging need to be mentioned clearly, the expiry date helps consumers know when the food item may cease to be edible. For foods that have a very short shelf life (less than three months), the date needs to be in the DD/MM/YY form, while for items with a longer shelf life,
"Best Before" vs. "Use By": The phrase "Best Before" refers to the date up to which the item retains its quality; however, it can still be consumed after this date. The "Use By" date refers to the last date of consumption of the item.
6. Allergen Labelling
The food industry is required to state any known allergens according to the FSSAI guidelines. These are as follows:
Gluten (wheat, barley, rye, etc.)
Peanuts and Tree nuts
Milk and Eggs
Fish and Crustaceans
7. Labelling for Veg/Non Veg Foods
In order to make sure that consumers can choose their foods wisely, food packages need to have vegetarian and non vegetarian symbols clearly stated on them. These symbols are under the regulation of FSSAI:
Vegetarian Foods Symbol – Green Circle
Non Vegetarian Foods Symbol – Brown Triangle
8. FSSAI Logo and License Number
All labels on the packaging of foods must have the FSSAI logo and the registration number of either the manufacturer or the brand owner. This means that the food item has been registered and adheres to the regulations. In case of imported foods, the food label must also have the importer’s name and address within India.
9. Special Dietary Foods and Health Claims
However, if the product claims that the item has special dietary uses (gluten-free, vegan or diabetic products), there are certain requirements that need to be fulfilled in addition. Likewise, if there are any health claims (low fat or high protein), then the label should follow the guidelines provided by FSSAI’s Advertising and Claims Regulation 2018.
10. Mandatory Warnings and Declarations
In case of some ingredients, FSSAI has prescribed specific warning statements. For instance:
Sweeteners: Foods having sweeteners like aspartame or saccharin should bear warning about its effects, including unsuitability for infants and pregnant women.
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): Foods having MSG must have the statement "Not recommended for infants below 12 months and pregnant women".
11. Exemptions from Labelling Requirements
There are certain exemptions regarding the label of particular foods, such as:
Small Packaging: Food packaging having less than 100 cm² area is exempted from label details like ingredient list, nutrition label and expiry date, but the above information should be mentioned on multi packaging
Fresh Produce: Fresh fruits and vegetables, both in natural form, do not require any expiry/best before date.
12. Penalties for Non Compliance
Non compliance with the labelling requirements of FSSAI can have dire consequences for the concerned food companies. Some of these may be in the form of penalties, which include fines, recalls, and shutting down of businesses in extreme cases. Thus, it is imperative that these regulations are adhered to.
Conclusion
The labelling regulations of FSSAI are very important for protecting the interest of the consumers and ensuring that their food products are safe and of high-quality. If you are manufacturing a food product then it will be essential for you to abide by the labelling laws of FSSAI. Adherence to the labelling regulations of FSSAI will not only help in avoiding any kind of legal trouble but will also promote good consumer health. So whether you are a new player in the food business or a veteran manufacturer, it is extremely important for you to know about the labelling regulations of FSSAI.
How Morulaa Can Help
Morulaa can provide assistance in various ways to food and beverages manufacturers regarding labelling regulation of FSSAI. Our team can provide them expert regulatory consulting services regarding the labelling regulation of FSSAI. We can also guide our clients in preparing labels of their food and beverages products as per the FSSAI labelling regulations. It will include ingredients information, nutritional value, expiry date, and warning label of the foods. We can help our clients in preparing necessary documents required for FSSAI certification and registration of their products. Morulaa can also help in obtaining or renewing FSSAI license.
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