The FSSAI has drafted the new Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2019. These regulations prescribe the labelling requirements of pre-packaged foods and display of essential information on premises where food is manufactured, processed, served and stored. They shall come into force with effective date for implementation to be either 1st January or 1st July subject to a minimum of 180 days from the date of their final publication in the official Gazette. The FSSAI has also invited objections and suggestions, which may also be mailed to regulation@fssai.gov.in on or before 31 July, .2019.
CHAPTER 1
This chapter contains the definitions like:
- “act” means the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Act 34 of 2006).
- “assorted pack” means any retail pack which contains multiple units of different pre-packaged commodities provided that it complies with the general labelling requirement specified in regulation 4.1(8)
- “best before date” means the date which signifies the end of the period under any stated storage conditions during which the product shall remain fully marketable and shall retain any specific qualities for which tacit or express claims have been made. Beyond that date, the food may still be perfectly safe to consume, however, its quality may have diminished.
- “compound food” means a food made with more than one commodity/food as its ingredients.
- “date of manufacture” means the date on which the food becomes the product as described.
- “date of packaging” means the date on which the food product is placed in the immediate container in which it will be ultimately sold.
- “e-commerce” means buying and selling of goods and services over digital and electronic network.”
- “foods for catering purposes” means those foods for use in restaurants, canteens, schools, hospitals,quick service restaurants (QSR), home delivery operators, caterers and similar institutions where food is offered for immediate consumption.
- “high fat, sugar, salt (HFSS) food” means a processed food product which has high levels of saturated fat or trans-fat or added sugar or sodium. The declared values of these ingredients are such that the product; does not satisfy the value of energy (kcal) from added sugar less than 10 percent of total energy, or energy from trans-fat less than 1 percent of total energy; or has saturated fat or sodium above the thresholds specified under Schedule –I of these regulations.
- “infant” means a child not more than twelve months of age.
- “labelling” means any written, printed or graphic matter that is present on the label, accompanies the food or is displayed near the food, including that for the purpose of promoting its sale or disposal.
- “lot number” or “code number” or “batch number” means the identification mark declared on the label by the use of numeral or alphabet or combinations thereof, preceded by “Lot number” or “code number” or “batch number” by which the food can be traced in manufacture and identified in distribution.
- “multi-unit package” means a package containing two or more individually packaged or labelled units of the same food article of identical net quantity, intended and displayed for retail sale either in individual units or package as a whole.
- “non-retail containers” means any container that is not indented to be offered for direct sale to consumer. The food in such container is of same kind, pre-packaged or not, and intended for further business operations or processing activities.
- “non-vegetarian food” means an article of food which contains whole or part of any animal including birds, insects, fresh water or marine animals or eggs or products of any animal origin, but does not include milk, milk products, honey or bees wax or carnauba wax or shellac wax.
- “package/container” means a pre-packed box, bottle, casket, tin, barrel, case, pouch, receptacle, sack,bag, wrapper or such other things in which an article of food is packed;
- “recommended dietary allowances (RDA)” means the amounts of dietary energy and nutrients considered sufficient for maintaining good health by the people of a country. Note: For the purpose of these regulations, RDA values as provided in ICMR Dietary Guidelines for Indians shall be applicable. If Indian RDA is not available for any nutrient, values provided in Codex/WHO Guidelines shall be applicable.
- “pre-packaged food” means food, which is placed in a package of any nature, in such a manner that the contents cannot be changed without tampering it and which is ready for sale to the consumer.
Note: The expression “package” wherever it occurs in these Regulations, shall be construed as package containing pre-packaged food articles.
“principal display panel” means that part of the container/package which is intended or likely to bedisplayed or presented or shown or examined by the customer under normal and customary conditionsof display, sale or purchase of the food article contained therein.
- “retail pack” or “Retail unit” means the packages which are intended for sale to ultimate consumer for the purpose of consumption of the food contained therein.
- “use by” or “expiry”means the date, which signifies the end of the estimated period under any stated storage conditions, after which the product may not remain safe and the food, shall not be sold or distributed for human consumption.
- “vegetarian food” means any article of food other than Non-Vegetarian Food as defined in these regulations.
All other words and expressions used herein and not defined, but defined in the Act, rules or regulationsmade thereunder, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Act, rules or regulations, respectively.
The FSSAI may establish an internal mechanism to address the problem arising out of implementation/interpretation of the regulations.
CHAPTER 2: LABELLING
4. LABELLING OF PREPACKAGED FOODS
4.1 General Requirements. –
- Every pre-packaged food shall be labelled with information as required under these regulations unless otherwise provided.
- When a food product is sold through e-commerce or any other direct selling means, the mandatory requirements of the label as given in these regulations shall be provided to the consumer through appropriate means before sale.
- Pre-packaged food shall not be described or presented on any label or in any labelling in a manner that is false,misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character in any respect.
- Any information or pictorial device written, printed, or graphic matter may be displayed on the label providedthat it is not in conflict with the requirements of these regulations.
- The particulars of declaration required under these Regulations printed on the label shall be in English or Hindiin Devanagari script:
Provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the use of any other language in addition to thelanguage required under this regulation:
Provided further that the information provided in such other language shall not contradict theinformation on the label in the English or Hindi.
- Label on pre-packaged foods shall be applied in such a manner that it will not become separated from thecontainer.
- Contents on the label shall be clear, unambiguous, prominent, conspicuous, indelible and readily legible by theconsumer under normal conditions of purchase and use. Where a package is provided with an outside container or wrapper and such container or wrapper is displayed forretail sale, it shall also contain all the declarations which are required to appear on the package except where such ,container or wrapper itself is transparent and the declarations on the package(s) are easily readable throughsuch outside container or wrapper.
Note: for the purpose of this clause in case of a multi-unit package containing severalretail units the label of atleast one retail unit containing the declarations required under these regulations shall be visible.
4.2 Labelling Requirements.–Besides the general requirements specified above, every package of food shall carrythe following information on the label:
- The Name of Food: The name of the food shall indicate the true nature of the food contained in the package.
(a) Where a food is specified by certain essential composition under Food Safety and StandardsRegulations made under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, that establishes its identity the nameprovided therein shall be used.
(b) In the absence of such name, either a common or usual name or an accompanying description of truenature of food shall be used. It may additionally have a “coined”, “fanciful”, “brand” or “trade name”.
- List of Ingredients: Except for single ingredient foods, a list of ingredients shall be declared on the label in thefollowing manner
(a) The list of ingredients shall contain an appropriate title, such as the term “Ingredients/List of Ingredients”.
(b) The name of ingredients used in the product shall be listed in descending order of their composition byweight or volume, as the case may be at the time of its manufacture.
(c) A food additive carried over into a food in an amount sufficient to perform a technological function in thatfood as a result of the use of raw material or other ingredients in which the additives were used, shall beincluded in the list of ingredients.
(d) A specific name shall be used for ingredients in the list of ingredients.
Provided that for ingredients falling in the respective classes, the following class titles may be used as follows
S.N | Name of the Class | Class Title |
1. | Edible vegetable oil | Give name of the specific edible oil such as mustard oil, groundnut oil, et |
2. | Edible vegetable fat | Give type of vegetable fat (interesterified vegetable fat, hydrogenated oils, partially hydrogenated oils, edible vegetable fats, margarine and fat spreads, such as mixed fat spreads, vegetable fat spreads) |
3. | Animal fat / oil other than milk fat | Give name of the source of fate |
4. | Starches, other than chemically modified starches | Starch |
5. | All species of fish where the fish constitutes an ingredient of another food and provided that the labelling and presentation of such food does not refer to a species of fish | Fish |
6. | All types of meat where such meat constitutes an ingredient of another food and provided that the labelling and presentation of such a food does not refer to a specific type of meat | Give name of the source of meat |
7. | All types of cheese where cheese or mixture of cheese constitute an ingredient of another food and provided that the labelling and presentation of such a food does not refer to a specific type of cheese | Cheese |
8. | All spices and condiments and their extracts | Spice and condiments or mixed spices/condiments as appropriate |
9. | All types of gum or preparations used in the manufacture of gum base for chewing gum | Gum base |
10. | Anhydrous dextrose and dextrose monohydrate | Dextrose or Glucose |
11. | All types of sucrose | Sugar |
12. | All types of caseinates | Caseinates |
13. | Press, expeller or refined cocoa butter | Cocoa butter |
14. | All crystallized fruits/vegetables | Crystallized fruit/vegetable |
15. | All milk and milk products derived solely from milk | Milk solids (source may also be given) |
16. | Cocoa bean, Cocoa nib, Cocoa mass, Cocoa press cakes, Cocoa powder (Fine/dust) | Cocoa solids |
17. | All vitamins | Vitamins |
18. | All minerals and trace elements | Minerals |
- Where an ingredient is itself the product of two or more ingredients, such a compound ingredient shall be declared, as such, in the list of ingredients, provided that it is immediately accompanied by a list, in brackets, of its ingredients in descending order of proportion (m/m):
Provided that where a compound ingredient constitutes less than 5% of the food, the ingredients, other than food additives, need not be declared:
Provided that the following ingredients which are known to cause allergy shall be declared separately as
“Contains………………………. (Name of allergy causing ingredients)” –
(i) Cereals containing gluten; i.e., wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt or their hybridized strains and products of these;
(ii) Crustacean and their products;
(iii) Milk & Milk products;
(iv) Eggs and egg products;
(v) Fish and fish products;
(vi) Peanuts, tree nuts and their products
(vii) Soybeans and their products;
(viii) Sulphite in concentrations of 10mg/kg or more.
- Added water shall be declared in the list of ingredients except in cases where water forms part of an ingredient, such as, brine, syrup or broth, used in the compound food and so declared in the list of ingredients:
Provided that water or other volatile ingredients evaporated in the course of manufacture need not bedeclared.
Provided further that in case of dehydrated or condensed food, which are intended to be reconstituted by addition of water, the ingredients in such reconstituted food shall be declared in descending order of weight or volume as the case may be, and shall contain a statement such as “Ingredients of the product when prepared in accordance with the directions on the label”.
- Every package of food sold as a mixture or combination shall disclose the percentage of the ingredient(including compound ingredients or categories of ingredients) used at the time of the manufacture of the food,if such ingredient–
(i) is emphasized as present on the label through words or pictures or graphics; or
(ii) is not within the name of the food but, is essential to characterize the food and is expected to be presentin the food by consumers, if the omission of the quantitative ingredient declaration will mislead ordeceive the consumer:
Provided that such disclosures are not required where –
(i) the ingredients are spices or herbs used as flavouring agents;
(ii) a reference in the name of food to an ingredient or category of ingredients, if that reference would notmislead or deceive or would not be likely to create an erroneous impression to the consumer regarding thecharacter of the food because the variation in quantity of ingredient(s) between products is not necessary tocharacterize the food or distinguish it from similar foods;
(iii) the drained net weight is indicated on the label as required, except in case of mixed ingredients productswhere certain ingredient(s) is/are emphasized.;
(iv) specific provisions are stipulated under these regulations for a food; (v) a pictorial representation of a serving suggestion is made for consumer information and use.
Nutritional information
For the purposes of these regulations, nutritional information is a description intended to inform the consumer ofnutritional properties of the food and the following definitions shall be applicable:
‘sugars’ means all monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, etc.) and disaccharides (maltose, sucrose,lactose, etc.).
‘added sugars’ means monosaccharides and disaccharides added to foods and beveragesby themanufacturer, cook or consumer during processing or preparation.
‘fat’ means total lipids including saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat and trans-fat.
(A) ‘Saturated fats’ means fatty acids without double bonds.
(B) ‘Monounsaturated fats’ means fatty acids with one cis double bond.
(C) ‘Polyunsaturated fats’ means fatty acids with cis-cis methylene interrupted double bonds.
(D) ‘Trans-fat’ means all the geometrical isomers of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fattyacids having non-conjugated, interrupted by at least one methylene group, carbon-carbondouble bonds in the trans configuration.
“dietary fibre” means carbohydrate polymers with a degree of polymerization (DP) not lower than three, which are not hydrolysed by the endogenous enzymes in the small intestine of humansand the sameconsists of one or more of-
(A) Edible carbohydrate polymers naturally occurring in the food as consumed;
(B) Carbohydrate polymers, which have been obtained from food raw material by physical, enzymatic or chemical means;
(C) Synthetic carbohydrate polymers.
‘nutrient’ means a constituent of food, which:
(A) provides energy; or
(B) has specific metabolic or physiological functions; or (C) is needed for growth and development and maintenance of healthy life;
Nutritional Information per 100g or 100ml of the product and per serve percentage (%) contribution to RDAcalculated on the basis of 2000 kcal energy, 67 g total fat, 22 g saturated fat, 2 g trans-fat, 50 g added sugar and2000 mg of sodium (5 g salt) requirement for average adult per day, shall be given on the label containing thefollowing: —
(i) energy value (kcal);
(ii) the amounts of
(A) Protein (g);
(B) Carbohydrate (g) and Sugars (g), added sugar (g);
(C) Total fat (g), saturated fat (g), trans fat (g) and cholesterol (mg);
Provided that the content of saturated fat and trans-fat may be declared on the label as “not more than”.
(D) Sodium (mg);
- Wherever, numerical information on vitamins and minerals is declared, it shall be expressed in metric units;
- Nutrition information panel shall include the amount of food in gram (g) or millilitre (ml) for reference besidethe serving measure and the number of servings in the package.
Explanation: “serving or serve size” means an amount of food customarily consumed per eating occasion or asdefined on the label which is expressed in metric unit. Additionally, it may also be given in common householdmeasures like tea spoon, table spoon, cup that is appropriate to the food.
- The nutritional information may not be necessary, in case of the following categories.
(i) Foods which are single ingredient products like sugar, jaggery, salt, spices, water;
(ii) Non-nutritive products like coffee, coffee chicory mixture, tea, condiments;
(iii) Packaged fresh produce like fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh seafood, eggs and fresh meat.
Provided that –
Every package of edible oils, interesterified vegetable fat, both hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils,edible fats, margarine and fat spreads (mixed fat spread and vegetable fat spread) and package of food in whichfats, oils and fat emulsions is used as an ingredient shall declare the quantity of trans fat content and saturated fatcontent on the label. Provided that the content of saturated fat and trans-fat may be declared on the label as “notmore than”.
Provided further that every package of edible oils, interesterified vegetable fat, both hydrogenated or partiallyhydrogenated oils, edible fats, margarine and fat spreads (mixed fat spread and vegetable fat spread) shalldeclare the quantity of monounsaturated fatty, polyunsaturated fatty acid, omega-3 fatty acid and omega-6 fattyacid content on the label.
However, nutritional information shall be required in the above-mentioned products if a nutrition or health claim ismade on the label.
- The compliance to quantity of declared nutrients on the label shall have the tolerance of maximum minus 10 percent
- of the value for that nutrient declared on the label at any point in time within declared shelf life of the product.
Calculation of Nutrients:
Calculation of Energy: The amount of energy to be listed should be calculated by using the following conversion factors:
(A) Carbohydrates 4 kcal/g
(B) Polyols except Erythritol 2 kcal/g
(C) Erythritol 0kcal/g
(D) Protein 4 kcal/g
(E) Fat 9 kcal/g
(F) Alcohol (Ethanol) 7 kcal/g
(G) Organic acid 3 kcal/g
Calculation of Protein – The amount of protein to be listed should be calculated using the formula:
Protein = Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen x 6.25 (Unless a different factor scientifically justified, may beused)
- Nutritional information may additionally be provided in the form of Barcode/Global Trade Identification Number(GTIN).
- Nutritional information and/or ingredients information along with health messages shall be displayed where foodis served in a manner as may be required and specified by the Food Authority.
Declaration regarding Veg or Non veg
(a) Every package of food containing ingredients including food additives, processing aids of animal origin shallbear a declaration to this effect made by a symbol and colour code as stipulated below to indicate that theproduct is Non-Vegetarian Food. The symbol shall consist of a brown colour filled circle inside a square withbrown outline having the diameter and sides not less than the minimum size specified in the Table mentioned inthe regulation 4.2 (4) (c), as indicated below
Brown Colour
Provided where any article of food contains egg only as Non-Vegetarian ingredient, the manufacturer, or packer or seller may give declaration to this effect in addition to the said symbol.
(b) Every package of food containing ingredients including food additives, processing aids of plant origin shall bear a declaration to this effect by a symbol and colour code as stipulated below for this purpose to indicate that the product is Vegetarian Food. The symbol shall consist of a green colour filled triangle inside a square with green outline having the sides not less than the minimum size specified in the Table mentioned in the regulation 4.2
(4) (c), as indicated below
Green colour
Size of the vegetarian and non-vegetarian logo
S. N | Area of principal display panel in cm. square | Minimum size of diameters of circle in mm | Minimum size of each side of triangle in mm | Minimum size of each side of square in mm |
1. | Upto 100 | 3 | 2.5 | 6 |
2. | Above 100 to 500 | 4 | 3.5 | 8 |
3. | Above 500 to 2500 | 6 | 5 | 12 |
4. | Above 2500 | 8 | 7 | 16 |
(d) Every package of food material which is not meant for human consumption shall bear a declaration to this effect by a symbol as stipulated below. The symbol shall consist of a black colour cross inside a square with black outline having the sides of square not less than the minimum size specified in the Table mentioned in the regulation 4.2 (4) (c), as indicated below:
(e) Declaration regarding Veg. or Non-Veg shall also be prominently displayed as provided in this regulation on thepamphlets, leaflets and advertisements in any media.
The symbol shall be prominently displayed on the package having contrast background on principal displaypanel, just close in proximity to the name or brand name of the product.
Provisions of regulations 4.2 (4)(a) and 4.2 (4) (b) shall not apply in respect of mineral water, packaged drinkingwater, carbonated water, alcoholic beverages, liquid milk, milk powders or honey.
Declaration regarding Food Additives
Functional classes for food additives shall be declared together with the specific name(s) or recognized InternationalNumbering System (INS) as specified in Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives)Regulations, 2011 in the list of the ingredients.
(a) Every food to which a flavouring agent is added in accordance with the Regulation 3.3.1(1) of Food Safety andStandards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, it shall be declared in the list ofingredients provided that:
i) In case of artificial flavouring substances, the common name of the flavour shall be declared;
ii) In case of natural flavouring substances or nature identical substances the class name of flavours shall bedeclared.
Name and complete address
(a) The name and complete address of the brand owner and the license number ofmanufacturers, packer or bottler asthe case may be, if located at different places shall be declared on label. The address shall be preceded by thequalifying words like “Manufactured by” or “Mfg by” or “Mfd by” or “Packed by” or “Pkd by” or “Marketedby” or “Mkt by”.
(b) Where an article of food is imported into India, the package of food shall also carry the name and completeaddress of the importer in India.
Provided further that where any food article manufactured outside India is packaged or bottled in India, thepackage containing such food article shall also bear on the label, the name of the country of origin of the foodarticle and the name and complete address of the importer and the premises of packing or bottling in India.
FSSAI logo and license number
(a) The FSSAI logo and license number under the Act shall be displayed on the label of the food package incontrast colour to the background as below:
b) In case of multiple units, the FSSAI logo and license number of the brand owner shall be displayed, in additionthe license number of the multiple unit(s) where product is ultimately prepared shall also be displayed.
(c) In case of imported food products, the importer shall display FSSAI logo and license number along with nameand address of importer.
(d) Every food business operator shall display on all its premises, where food is stored, processed, distributed orsold, the Registration/Licence No. as the case may be along with other information as may be specified by theFood Authority from time to time.
(e) Any/ all vehicles, transport equipment that carries food from one place to another shall display Registration/Licence No. (as the case may be) along with other information as may be required and specified bythe Authority from time to time.
(f) Fortified food and organic food shall be marked with the logo as specified in schedule-III of these regulations.FSSAI may specify logo for any other food as decided from time to time.
Net quantity, Retail Sale Price and Consumer Care details
Declaration of Net quantity, Retail Sale Price and Consumer Care details shall be as provided in LegalMetrology Act, 2009 (1 of 2010) and the Rules made there under.
Lot/Code/Batch identification
A batch number or code number or lot number shall be declared on the label.
Date Marking
(a) “Date of manufacture or packaging” and “Expiry/Use by” shall be declared on the label. However, expression“Best before” may also be used as optional or additional information.
(b) The manner of declaration of date of manufacture or packaging/Expiry/Use by/Best Before shall be as follows:
(i) the day, month and year using the DD/MM/YY format for products with a short shelf life ofup to 3months; the month and the year for products with a shelf life of more than three months, shall be declaredin un-coded numerical sequence except that the month shall be indicated by capital letters andabbreviations (at least first three letters of the month) may be used.
(c) In addition to the expiry or Use by, any special conditions for the storage of the food shall be declared on thelabel if the validity of the date depends thereon. If required, storage conditions after opening the pack may alsobe specified.
(d) Notwithstanding anything contained in this regulation, an indication of the “Expiry” shall not be required for:
(i) Fresh fruits and vegetables, including potatoes which have not been peeled, cut or similarlytreated;
(ii) All types of wine;
(iii) Alcoholic beverages containing 10% or more by volume of alcohol;
(iv) Vinegar;
(v) Hard boiled confectionery;
(vi) Food grade salt for industrial use;
(vii) Solid sugars;
(viii) Chewing gum.
(e) “Date of manufacture or packaging” and “Expiry /Use by” shall be grouped together and given at one place.
(f) “Date and time of manufacture” shall be declared on packed meals served in airlines/railways/mobile cateringunits.
Country of Origin for Imported Foods-
(a) The country of origin of the food shall be declared on the label of food imported into India.
(b) When a food undergoes processing in a second country which changes its nature, the country in which theprocessing is performed shall be considered to be the county of origin for the purposes of labelling.
Instructions for use
(a) Instructions for use, including reconstitution, where applicable, shall be included on the label, to ensure properutilization of the food or where such food requires directions for reasons for health and safety (e.g. ‘Refrigerateafter opening’).
Principal display panel
- The information required under these regulations shall be given on the principal display
panel of the package or container and such information may be given in following manner, –
(a) All information should be grouped together and given at one place.
OR
The pre-printed information be grouped together and given in one place and,
(b) Online information or those not pre-printed be grouped together in another place.”
Area of Principal Display Panel
The area of principal display panel shall not be less than:
(a) In the case of a rectangular package, forty percent of the product of height and width of the panel of suchpackage having the largest area;
b) In case of cylindrical or nearly cylindrical, round or nearly round, oval or nearly oval package, forty percent ofthe product of the height and average circumference of such package; or
(c) In the case of package of any other shape, twenty percent of the total surface area of the package;
(d) In the case of package having a capacity of ten cubic centimetres or less, the principal display panel may be cardor tape affixed firmly to the package and bearing the required information under these regulations.
The height of any numeral and letter required under these regulations, on the principal display panel shall be asshown in tables below:
TABLE I
S.N | Area of Principal Display Panel | Minimum Height of numeral and letter in mm | |
Normal case | When Blown, formed Moulded, or perforated on container | ||
1. | Upto 100 cm2 | 1 | 2 |
2. | Above 100 cm2 upto 500 cm2 | 2 | 4 |
3. | Above 500 cm2 upto 2500 cm2 | 4 | 6 |
4. | Above 2500 cm2 | 6 | 8 |
Provided further that the size of numeral and/or letters required for declaration of net weight, retail saleprice, date of expiry or best before or the use by date (wherever and as applicable) and Consumer care detailson the principal display panel shall be as provided in Legal Metrology Act, 2009 (1 of 2010) and therules made there under.
Provided that the width of the letter or numeral shall not be less than one-third of its height,but this proviso shall not apply in the case of numeral “1” and letters i, I and l.
The following information shall be declared on the front of pack:
(a) The name of food;
(b) Declaration regarding veg or non-veg;
(c) Per serve contribution of energy, saturated fat, trans fat, added sugar and sodium to RDA as per format indicated below:
Part 1: Declares the amount of energy, saturated fat, trans fat, added sugar and sodium per serve;
Part 2: Declares the per serve percentage (%) contribution to RDA as provided under this regulation
(d) The block(s) of nutrient(s) for “High Fat, Sugar and Salt” (HFSS) food shall be coloured ‘RED’ as depicted below, in case the value of energy (kcal) from added sugar is more than 10 per centof the total energy (kcal) provided by the 100 g/100 ml of the product; the value of energy (kcal)from trans-fat is more than 1 per cent of the total energy (kcal) provided by the 100 g/100 ml ofthe product; and saturated fat or sodium content provided by the 100 g/100 ml of the product ismore than the threshold values as specified in schedule – I.
Note I: The text in the particular coloured block to be displayed with a contrast colour.
Provided that for ‘RED’ coding of the blocks of nutrient (s) for “High Fat, Sugar and Salt” (HFSS) food, the permissible allowances to threshold values shall be as under:
Timeline | Allowance |
From the date of compliance of these regulations i.e. for 1styear | As depicted under regulation 5 (4) (c) |
After one year from the date of compliance of these regulations | Threshold values* plus 30% of the threshold values* |
After two year from the date of compliance of these regulations | Threshold values* plus 15% of the threshold values* |
After three year from the date of compliance of these regulations | Threshold values* |
* As specified in clause (d) of sub-regulation 4 of regulation 5 for added sugar and trans-fat and schedule –I of theseregulations for sodium and saturated fat.
However, the specified threshold values and timeline for their implementation may also be revised by Food Authoritybased on any scientific
Provided that the categories/products specified under schedule – II are exempted from colour coding.
Provided that any beverage provides energy less than 80 Kcal/ per serve is exempted from colour coding.
Provided further that ‘no depiction’ of block for the above said Nutrient/Nutrients is required, if the nutrient is absent in the product.
- For the HFSS labelling of “Proprietary products” the threshold values of nearby category shall apply.
- Food Authority may introduce colour coding system in addition to marking of foods as ‘Red’ within thespecified thresholds from time to time.
- In premises where the food with red mark is served, message on healthy eating shall be displayed/screened ina manner as may be specified by the Food Authority from time to time.
- The Food Authority may from time to time issue further guidelines on nutrient profiling of food products.
- HFSS food products shall not be advertised to children in any form.
Mandatory Declarations
(1) Wherever, packaged food contains ingredients and/or additives as stated in schedule-IV of theseregulations, the same shall be prominently displayed on the label. The size of numerals and letters forthe declarations/specific requirements specified in schedule-IV shall not be less than 3mm based onthe letter l.
(2) The Food Authority may either modify, delete or add any of the ingredients and/or additives andcorresponding declaration from time to time.
Exemptions from certain labelling requirements
(1) Where the surface area of the package is not more than 100 square centimetres, the label of such package shall be exempted from the requirements of list of ingredients, Lot Number or Batch Number or Code Number, nutritional information, labelling of irradiated food, declaration of food additives, the name and complete address of the importer and instructions for use, but this information shall be given on the multi-unit packages.
(2) In case of liquid products marketed in bottles, if such bottle is intended to be reused for refilling, the requirementof list of ingredients shall be exempted, but the nutritional information specified in regulation 4.2(3) shall be givenon the label.
(3) In case of food with shelf-life of not more than seven days, the ‘date of manufacture’ may not be required to bementioned on the label of packaged food articles, but the ‘Expiry/use by’ shall be mentioned on the label by themanufacturer or packer.
(4) In case of prepared food served for immediate consumption such as in hotels or by food service vendors orcaterers or halwais or hospitals or at religious gathering or food served in airline/railways/passenger vehicle or anymobile unit shall accompany or display the minimum information as specifiedbelow at the point of sale/serve of the food.
(a) Specific declarations prescribed under sub-regulations 1.1 (1), (2), (3), 1.4 (3), (4) and 1.9 of schedule IVof these regulations
(b) information relating to allergen; and
(c) logo for veg or non-veg.
Provided that in case of food served through vending machine the labelling requirement as prescribed inregulation 4.2(3) of these regulations shall be displayed in addition to the requirements mentioned in 7(4) above,through appropriate presentation on the outside of vending machine or through poster, leaflet or on thecontainer.
(5) The following labelling requirements are exempted if they are provided in a Barcode/Global Trade IdentificationNumber (GTIN); –
a) Address of the Brand owner and multiple units where manufacturing, bottling or packing is taking place.
b) License numbers of the multiple units where manufacturing, bottling or packing is taking place.
In case of imported packaged food consignments, the following special dispensation on labelling shall be allowedfor the rectifiable labelling deficiencies at the custom bound warehouse by affixing a single non detachablesticker or by any other non-detachable method next to the principle display panel without altering or masking the original label information in any manner namely: ―
(a) name and address of the importer;
(b) Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s Logo and license number,
(c) Non-Veg or Veg Logo
(d) Category or sub category along with generic name, nature and composition for Proprietary food.
(e) Statutory warning on the packages of alcoholic beverages as prescribed in item 2.7 of schedule-IV of theseregulations.
In respect of the rectifiable labelling deficiencies referred to in sub – regulation (6) above, the AuthorisedOfficer may pass an order directing the Food Importer or his authorised agent to carry out the permissiblelabelling rectifications, within a specified time.
In case of primary food like food grain, pulse, fruits and vegetables, whole spices imported in loose in bulk shall carry:
(a) name of food
(b) name and complete address of importer
However, it may also be verified from the relevant documents.
Display of information in food service establishments
- Food Service Establishments having Central license or outlets at 10 or more locations shall mention the calorificvalue against the food items displayed on the menu cards or boards.and prominently as “Anaverage adult requires 2,000 kcal energy per day, however, calorie needs may vary”.
Flexibility in the wordings of the above statement is acceptable, provided that the meaning of the statement is not altered.
- Food Service Establishments shall also mention the information specified below against the food items displayed onthe menu cards or boards:
a) information relating to allergens, if food consists of or are made of the following:
(i) Cereals containing gluten; i.e., wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt or their hybridized strains and products ofthese;
(ii) Crustacean and their products;
(iii) Milk & Milk products;
(iv) Eggs and egg products;
(v) Fish and fish products;
(vi) Peanuts, tree nuts and their products;
(vii) Soybeans and their products;
(viii) Sulphite in concentrations of 10mg/kg or more
Provided that the allergens may be depicted by easy to understand symbols.
b) logo for veg or non-veg
- These provisions shall not be applicable to the following:
a) Event caterers and Food Service premises that operate for less than 60 days in acalendar year (consecutivelyor non-consecutively).
b) Self-serve condiments that are free of charge and not listed on the menu.
c) Special-order items or modified meals and menu items as per customer’s request.
- Food Service Establishments shall also provide nutritional information as prescribed under sub-regulation 4.2(3),specific requirements prescribed under sub-regulations 1.1 (1), (2), (3), 1.4 (3), (4) and 1.9 of schedule-IV of theseregulations, if applicable and information relating to organic food or ingredients, if claimed, for the food items sold bythem to consumers upon request in the form of booklets or handouts or on their website.
Provided that deviation of 25 percent may be tolerated in case of nutritional information declaration.
- E-commerce Food Business Operators shall get the above-mentioned information from respective FBO and provideon their website wherever applicable.
- The Authority may specify other food service establishments also to comply with the requirements specified in theseregulations from time to time.
CHAPTER 3
Labelling Requirements of non-retail container
(1) Every packaged food meant for non-retail sale shall provide the following mandatory information either on thecontainer or on the label attached thereto:
(a) Name of the food;
(b) Net Quantity;
(c) FSSAI Logo and License number;
(d) Date marking;
(e) Lot No.
(2) The following information if not provided on the label shall be provided in the accompanying documents:
(a) List of ingredients along with their source as Veg or Non-Veg
(b) Nutritional information
(c) List of food additives
(d) Name and address of the manufacturer or packer (including country of origin for imported packages)
(3) Every package meant for non- retail sale shall bear a statement “NOT FOR RETAIL SALE”.
CHAPTER 4
LABELLING OF FOOD ADDITIVES WHEN SOLD AS SUCH
Labelling of packaged Food Additives for Retail Sale
(1) Every package of a food additive meant for retail sale to the consumer shall be labelled in accordance with theFood Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2019 except for sub-regulation 4.2(1) and 4.2(3) ofthis regulation.
(2) Additionally, the label of every package of food additive shall provide the following information under theseregulations:
(a) Name of Food Additive– The specific name as mentioned in Food Safety and Standards (Food ProductsStandards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 and amendments thereof shall be used.
Provided that:
(i) Where such a name is not listed in the aforementioned clause the name established in internationalregulations shall be used or
(ii) In other cases, the common or commercial name shall be used
(iii) In the case of synthetic food colours, the chemical name and the colour index of the dye stuff.
(iv) If two or more food additives are present in the package, their names shall be listed in the descendingorder of their composition by weight or volume. Where one or more of the food additives is subject to aquantitative limitation in a food covered by Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards andFood Additives) Regulations 2011, and amendments thereof, the quantity or proportion of that additiveshall be stated. If food ingredients are part of the preparation, they shall be declared in the list of ingredients in descending order of proportion by weight.
(b) Other Mandatory Declarations:
(i) Every package of a food additive sold in retail or non-retail sale shall be marked prominently with thewords “FOR FOOD USE”.
(ii) In the case of mixtures of flavourings, the name of each flavouring present in the mixture need not begiven but a common or generic expression “flavour” or “flavouring” may be used, together with a trueindication of the nature of the flavour.
The expression “flavour” or “flavouring” shall be qualified by the words “natural”, nature-identical”,“artificial”, or a combination of these words, as appropriate. Provided that this qualifier does not apply toflavour modifiers.
Labelling of Pre-packaged Food Additives Sold other than by Retail
Every package of a food additive meant for sale other than by Retail shall carry label in accordance to chapter 3and regulation 9 of these regulations.
12. The provision of these regulations shall supersede, if repugnant to labelling requirement prescribed in any regulations made under the FSS Act, 2006.
Schedule – I
(See regulation 5 (4) (d))
Nutrient Thresholds for Food Categories
Category No. | Category | Sub-categories included | Saturated fat (g / 100 g or 100 ml) | Saturated fat (g /100 g or 100 ml) |
1.0 | Dairy products and analogues, excluding products of food category 2.0 | |||
1.1 | Milk and dairy-based drinks | 1.1.2: Dairy-based drinks – flavoured milk and/ or fermented | 2.3 | No threshold |
1.6 | Cheese and analogues | 1.6.1: Unripened cheese 1.6.2 Ripened cheese 1.6.2.1 Ripened cheese, includes rind 1.6.2.2 Rind of ripened cheese 1.6.2.3 Cheese powder 1.6.3 Whey cheese 1.6.4 Processed cheese 1.6.4.1 Plain processed cheese 1.6.4.2 Flavoured processed cheese, including containing fruit, vegetables, meat etc. 1.6.5 Cheese analogues 1.6.6 Whey protein cheese | 6.6 | 0.80 |
1.7 | Dairy based desserts | 2.6 | 0.10 | |
2.0 | Fats and Oils and fat emulsions | |||
2.2 | Fat emulsions mainly or type water-in-oil | 2.2.1 Butter 2.2.2 Fat spreads, dairy fat spreads and blended spreads | No threshold | 0.10 |
2.4 | Fat-based desserts excluding dairy-based dessert products of food category 1.7 | 2.4.1: Cocoa based spreads, including fillings | 2.6 | No threshold |
3.0 | Edible ices, including sherbet and sorbet | 2.6 | 0.10 | |
4.0 | Fruits and vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweeds, and nuts and seeds | |||
4.1 | Fruit | 4.1.2 Processed fruit 4.1.2.2 Dried fruit, nuts and seeds 4.1.2.3 Fruit in vinegar, oil, or brine 4.1.2.4 Canned or bottled (pasteurized) fruit 4.1.2.5 Jams, jellies, marmalades, fruit bar/toffee and fruit cheese 4.1.2.6 Fruit-based spreads (e.g. chutney) excluding products of food category 4.1.2.7 Candied fruit 4.1.2.8 Fruit preparations, including pulp, purees, fruit toppings and coconut milk 4.1.2.9 Fruit-based desserts, including fruit flavoured water-based desserts 4.1.2.10 Fermented fruit products 4.1.2.11 Fruit fillings for pastries 4.1.2.12 Cooked fruit | No threshold | 0.40 |
4.2 | Vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera) sea weeds, nuts and seeds | 4.2.2 Processed vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera) sea weeds, nuts and seeds 4.2.2.2 Dried vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweeds, and nuts and seeds 4.2.2.3 Vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), and seaweeds in vinegar, oil, brine, or soybean sauce 4.2.2.4 Canned or bottled (pasteurized) or retort pouch vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), and seaweeds 4.2.2.5 Vegetable (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweed, and nut and seed purees and spreads (e.g. peanut butter) 4.2.2.6 Vegetable (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweed, and nut and seed pulps and preparations (e.g. vegetable desserts and sauces, candied vegetables) other than food category 4.2.2.5 4.2.2.7 Fermented vegetable (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera) and seaweed products, excluding fermented soybean products of food categories 6.8.6, 06.8.7, 12.9.1, 12.9.2.1 and 12.9.2.3 4.2.2.8 Cooked or fried vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), and seaweeds | No threshold | 0.40 |
5.0 | Confectionery | |||
5.1 | Cocoa products and chocolate products including imitations and chocolate substitutes | 5.1.3 Cocoa and chocolate products 5.1.4: Imitation chocolate, chocolate substitute products | 2.6 | No threshold |
5.2 | Confectionery including hard and soft candy, nougats etc. other than food categories 5.1, 5.3, and 5.4 | 5.2.1 Hard candy 5.2.2 Soft candy 5.2.3 Nougats and marzipans | ||
5.3 | Chewing gum | |||
5.4 | Decorations (e.g. For fine bakery wares), toppings (non-fruits), and sweet sauces | |||
6.0 | Cereals and cereal products, derived from cereal grains, from roots and tubers, pulses, legumes and pith or soft core of palm tree, excluding bakery wares of food category 7.0 | |||
6.3 | Ready -to -eat cereals, breakfast cereals, including rolled oats | 4.0 | 0.35 | |
6.4 | Pastas and noodles and like products (e.g. Rice paper, rice vermicelli, soybean pastas and noodles) | 6.4.1 Fresh pastas and noodles and like products 6.4.2 Dried pastas and noodles and like products 6.4.3 Pre-cooked pastas and noodles and like products | 1.0 | 0.25 |
6.5 | Cereals/pulses and starch based desserts | 2.6 | No threshold | |
6.7 | Pre-cooked or processed cereals/grains/legume products | 4.0 | 0.35 | |
6.8 | Soybean products (excluding soybean-based seasonings and condiments of food category 12.9) | 6.8.1 Soybean-based beverages | No threshold | 0.20 |
6.8.2 Soybean-based beverage film 6.8.3 Soybean curd (tofu) 6.8.4 Semi-dehydrated soybean curd 6.8.4.1 Thick gravy-stewed semi-dehydrated soybean curd; 6.8.4.2 Deep fried semi-dehydrated soybean curd; 6.8.4.3 Semi-dehydrated soybean curd, other than food categories 6.8.4.1 and 6.8.4.2 6.8.5 Dehydrated soybean curd 6.8.6 Fermented soybeans 6.8.7 Fermented soybean curd 6.8.8 Other soybean protein products | 4.0 | 0.10 | ||
7.0 | Bakery wares | |||
7.1 | Bread and ordinary bakery wares and mixes | 7.1.1 Breads and rolls 7.1.1.1 Yeast-leavened breads and specialty breads 7.1.1.2 Soda breads 7.1.2 Crackers 7.1.3 Other ordinary bakery products 7.1.4 Bread-type products, including bread stuffing and bread crumbs 7.1.5 Steamed breads and buns 7.1.6 Mixes for bread and ordinary bakery wares | 2.6 | 0.25 |
7.2 | Fine bakery wares (sweet, salty, savoury) and mixes | 7.2.1 Cakes, cookies and pies 7.2.2 Other fine bakery products 7.2.3 Mixes for fine bakery wares | 2.6 | 0.25 |
8.0 | Meat and meat products including poultry | |||
8.2 | Processed meat and poultry products in whole pieces or cuts | 8.2.1 Non-heat-treated processed meat and poultry products in whole pieces or cuts 8.2.1.1 Cured (including salted) non-heat treated processed meat and poultry products in whole pieces or cuts 8.2.1.2 Cured (including salted) and dried nonmeat treated processed meat and poultry products in whole pieces or cuts 8.2.1.3 Fermented non-heat treated processed meat and poultry products in whole pieces or cuts 8.2.2 Heat-treated processed meat and poultry products in whole pieces or cuts | 2.6 | 0.40 |
8.2.3 Frozen processed meat and poultry products in whole pieces or cuts | 5.0 | No threshold | ||
8.3 | Processed comminuted meat and poultry products | 8.3.1 Non-heat treated processed comminuted meat and poultry products 8.3.1.1 Cured (including salted) non-heat treated processed comminuted meat and poultry products 8.3.1.2 Cured (including salted) and dried non-heat treated processed comminuted meat and poultry products 8.3.1.3 Fermented non-heat treated processed comminuted meat and poultry products 8.3.2 Heat-treated processed comminuted meat and poultry products (canned cooked ham, canned luncheon meat, canned chopped meat) | 2.6 | 0.40 |
9.0 | Fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms | |||
9.2 | 9.2.1 Frozen fish, fish fillets, and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms (frozen shrimps or prawns, frozen lobsters, frozen squid, frozen fin fish and frozenfish fillets) | 5.0 | No threshold | |
9.2.2 Frozen battered fish, fish fillets and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms | 2.6 | 0.40 | ||
9.2.3 Frozen minced and creamed fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms | 5.0 | No threshold | ||
9.2.4 Cooked and/or fried fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms 9.2.4.1 Cooked fish and fish products 9.2.4.2 Cooked molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms 9.2.4.3 Fried fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and Echinoderms 9.2.5 Smoked, dried, fermented, and/or salted fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms | 2.6 | 0.40 | ||
9.3 | Semi-preserved fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms | 9.3.1 Fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms, marinated and/or in jelly 9.3.2 Fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms, pickled and/or in brine 9.3.3 Salmon substitutes, caviar and other fish roe products 9.3.4 Semi-preserved fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms (e.g. fish paste), excluding products of food categories 9.3.1 – 9.3.3 | 2.6 | 0.40 |
9.4 | Fully preserved, including canned or fermented fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms | 2.6 | 0.40 | |
12.0 | Salts, spices, soups, sauces, salads and protein products | |||
12.5 | Soups and broths | 12.5.1 Ready-to-eat soups and broths, including canned, bottled, and frozen 12.5.2 Mixes for soups and broths | 2.6 | 0.35 |
12.6 | Sauces and like products | 12.6.1 Emulsified sauces and dips 12.6.2 Non-emulsified sauces 12.6.3 Mixes for sauces and gravies 12.6.4 Clear sauces | 4.0 | 0.30 |
12.9 | Soybean based seasonings and condiments | 12.9.1 Fermented soybean paste | 4.0 | 0.10 |
12.9.2 Soybean sauce 12.9.2.1 Fermented soybean sauce 12.9.2.2 Non-fermented soybean sauce 12.9.2.3 Other soybean sauces | 4.0 | 0.30 | ||
14.0 | Beverages, excluding dairy products | |||
14.1 | Non – alcoholic (soft) beverages | 14.1.2 Fruit and vegetable juices 14.1.2.1 Fruit juices 14.1.2.2 Vegetable juices 14.1.2.3 Concentrates of fruit juices 14.1.2.4 Concentrates of vegetable juices | No threshold | No threshold |
14.1.3 Fruit and vegetable nectars 14.1.3.1 Fruit nectar 14.1.3.2 Vegetable nectar 14.1.3.3 Concentrates of fruit nectar 14.1.3.4 Concentrates of vegetable nectar | No threshold | No threshold | ||
14.1.4 Water-based flavoured drinks, including “sport”, “energy” or “electrolyte” drinks and particulated drinks, includes carbonated fruit beverages, carbonated beverages with fruit 14.1.4.1 Carbonated water-based flavoured drinks; 14.1.4.2 Non-carbonated water-based flavoured drinks, including punches and ades 14.1.4.3 Concentrates (liquid or solid) for water based flavoured drinks | No threshold | 0.30 | ||
14.1.5 Coffee, coffee substitutes, tea, herbal infusions | No threshold | No threshold | ||
14.1.5 Other hot cereal and grain beverages, excluding coco | No threshold | 0.20 | ||
15.0 | Ready-to-eat savouries | |||
15.1 | Snacks and savouries – potato, cereal, flour or starch based (from roots and tubers, pulses and legumes) | 2.6 | 0.25 | |
15.2 | Processed nuts including coated nuts and nut mixtures | No threshold | 0.05 | |
15.3 | Snacks – fish based | No threshold | 0.25 | |
16.0 | Prepared Foods | 2.6 | 0.35 |
Schedule – II
(See regulation 5(4) (d))
Exempted Food categories
Category No. | Category |
1,1.1 | Milk and buttermilk (plain) |
1.1.1.1 | Milk (plain) |
1.1.1.2 | Buttermilk (plain) |
1.2 | Fermented and renneted milk products (plain), excluding food category |
1.2.1 | Fermented milks (plain) |
1.2.1.1 | Fermented milks (plain), not heat-treated after fermentation |
1.2.1.2 | Fermented milks (plain), heat-treated after fermentation |
1.2.2 | Renneted milk (plain |
1.3 | Condensed milk and analogues (plain) |
1.3.1. | Condensed milk (plain), evaporated milk(s), sweetened condensed |
1.3.2 | Beverage whiteners |
1.4 | Cream (plain) and the like cream and malai |
1.4.1 | Pasteurized cream (plain), cream and malai |
1.4.2 | Sterilized and UHT creams, whipping and whipped creams, and reduced fat creams (plain) |
1.4.3 | Clotted cream (plain) |
1.4.4 | Cream analogues |
1.5 | Milk powder and cream powder and powder analogues (plain) |
1.5.1 | Milk powder and cream powder (plain) |
1.5.2 | Milk and cream powder analogue |
1.8 | Whey and whey products, excluding whey cheeses |
1.8.1 | Liquid whey and whey products, excluding whey cheeses |
1.8.2 | Dried whey and whey products, excluding whey cheeses whey powder |
2.1 | Fats and oils essentially free from water |
2.1.1 | Butter oil, anhydrous milk fat, ghee |
2.1.2 | Vegetable oils and fats |
2.1.3 | Lard, tallow, fish oil, and other animal fats |
2,3 | Fat emulsions mainly of type oil-in-water, including mixed and/or flavoured products based on fat emulsions |
4.1.1 | Fresh fruit |
4.1.1.1 | Untreated fresh fruit |
4.1.1.2 | Surface treated fresh fruit |
4.1.1.3 | Peeled or cut fresh fruit |
4.1.2.1 | Frozen fruit |
4.2.1 | Fresh vegetables, (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweeds and nuts and seeds |
4.2.1.1 | Untreated fresh vegetables, (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes including soybeans, and aloe vera), seaweeds and nuts and seeds; |
4.2.1.2 | Surface-treated fresh vegetables, (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweeds and nuts and seeds; |
4.2.1.3 | Peeled, cut or shredded fresh vegetables, (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweeds and nuts and seeds |
4.2.2.1 | Frozen vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweeds and nuts and seeds |
5.1.1 | Cocoa mixes (powders) and cocoa mass/cake |
5.1.2 | Cocoa mixes (syrups) |
6.1 | Whole, broken, or flaked grain, including rice |
6.2 | Flours and starches (including soybean powder) |
6.2.1 | Flours |
6.2.2 | Starches |
6.6 | Batters |
8.1. | Fresh meat and poultry |
8.1.1 | Fresh meat and poultry whole pieces or cuts |
8.1.2 | Fresh meat and poultry comminuted |
8.3.3 | Frozen processed comminuted meat and poultry products |
8.4 | Edible casings (e.g. Sausage casings) |
9.1 | Fresh fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms |
9.1.1 | Fresh fish |
9.1.2 | Fresh molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms |
10.0 | Eggs and egg products |
10.1 | Fresh eggs |
10.2 | Egg products |
10.2.1 | Liquid egg products |
10.2.2 | Frozen egg products |
10.2.3 | Dried and/or heat coagulated egg products |
10.3 | Preserved eggs, including alkaline, salted, and canned eggs |
10.4 | Egg-based desserts |
11.0 | Sweeteners, including honey |
11.1 | Refined and raw sugars |
11.1.1 | White sugar, dextrose anhydrous, dextrose monohydrate, fructose |
11.1.2 | Powdered sugar, powdered dextrose |
11.1.3 | Soft white sugar, soft brown sugar, glucose syrup, dried glucose syrup, raw cane sugar, khandsari sugar (sulphur sugar), bura sugar |
11.1.3.1 | Dried glucose syrup used to manufacture sugar confectionery |
11.1.3.2 | Glucose syrup for manufacture of sugar confectionery (golden syrup) |
11.1.4 | Lactose |
11.1.5 | Plantation or mill white sugar (plantation white sugar, cube sugar, misri) |
11.2 | Brown sugar excluding products of food category 11.1.3 |
11.3 | Sugar solutions and syrups, also (partially) inverted, including treacle and molasses, excluding products of food category 11.1.3 |
11.4 | Other sugars and syrups |
11.5 | Honey |
11.6 | Table- top sweeteners including those containing high intensity sweeteners (saccharin sodium, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose) |
12.1 | Salt and salt substitutes |
12.1.1 | Salt (including edible common salt, iron fortified salt, iodized salt) |
12.1.2 | Salt substitutes |
12.2 | Herbs, spices, seasonings and condiments (e.g. seasoning for instant noodles) |
12.2.1 | Herbs, spices including masalas |
12.3 | Vinegars |
12.4 | Mustards |
12.7 | Salads and sandwich spreads excluding cocoa-and nut-based spreads of food categories 4.2.2.5 and 5.1.3 |
12.8 | Yeast and like products |
12.10 | Protein products other than form soybeans |
13.0 | Foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses |
13.1 | Infant formulae, follow-on formulae, and formulae for special medical purposes for infants |
13.1.1 | Infant formulae |
13.1.2 | Follow – up formulae |
13.1.3 | Formulae for special and medical purposes for infants |
13.2 | Complementary foods for infants and young children |
13.3 | Dietetic foods intended for special medical purposes (excluding products of food category 13.1) |
13.4 | Dietetic formulae for slimming purposes and weight reduction |
13.5 | Dietetic foods (e.g. supplementary foods for dietary use) excluding products of food categories 13.1 -13.4 and 13.6 |
13.6 | Food supplements |
14.1.1 | Waters |
14.1.1.1 | Natural mineral waters and source waters |
14.2 | Alcoholic beverages, including alcohol-free and low-alcoholic counterparts |
14.2.1 | Beer and malt beverages |
14.2.2 | Cider and Perry |
14.2.3 | Grape wines |
14.2.3.1 | Still grape wine |
14.2.3.2 | Sparkling and semi-sparkling grape wines |
14.2.3.3 | Fortified grape wine, grape liquor wine, and sweet grape wine |
14.2.4 | Wines (other than grape) |
14.2.5 | Mead |
14.2.6 | Distilled spiritous beverages containing more than 15% alcohol |
14.2.7 | Aromatized alcoholic beverages |
Schedule-III
(See regulation 4.2 (7) (f))
(1) Every package of fortified food shall carry the words “fortified with ………… (name of the fortificant)” and the logo, as specified below, on the label. It may also carry a tag line “Sampoorna Poshan Swasth Jeevan” under the logo.
(2) Every package of organic food shall carry the logo as specified below:
Schedule- IV
(See regulations 6(1), 7 (4) (a), 7(6) (e) and 8 (4)
- Mandatory Declarations: (1) Every package of food containing the following ingredients/additives shall bear the following declarations on the label in a rectangular box, namely, –
SI.No | Ingredients/additives | Declaration |
1. | 10% or more polyols | POLYOLS MAY HAVE LAXATIVE EFFECT |
2. | 10% or more polydextrose | POLYDEXTROSE MAY HAVE LAXATIVE EFFECT |
3. | Added caffeine | CONTAINS ADDED CAFFEINE Provided if caffeine is added in the products, the quantity of the added caffeine (in ppm) shall also be declared in the list of ingredients. |
4. | Isomaltulose | Contains Isomaltulose—– (calories) |
(2) Every package containing the following articles of food shall bear the following declarations on the label in a rectangular box, namely, –
SI.No. | Articles of food | Declarations |
1. | Maida treated with improver or bleaching agents | WHEAT FLOUR TREATED WITH IMPROVER/BLEACHING AGENTS, TO BE USED BY BAKERIES ONLY |
2. | Dried Glucose Syrup containing sulphur dioxide exceeding 40 ppm | DRIED GLUCOSE SYRUP FOR USE IN SUGAR CONFECTIONERY ONLY |
3. | Fruit squash by whatever name it is sold, containing additional sodium or potassium salt | CONTAINS ADDITIONAL SODIUM/POTASSIUM SALT |
4. | Bakery and Industrial Margarine made from more than 30 per cent of Rice Bran Oil | This package of Bakery & Industrial Margarine is made from more than 30 per cent of Rice Bran Oil by Wt. |
5. | Flavour emulsion and flavour paste meant for use in carbonated or non-carbonated beverages | FLAVOUR EMULSION AND FLAVOUR PASTE FOR USE IN CARBONATED OR NONCARBONATED BEVERAGES ONLY |
6. | Cheese(s), if coated/packed in food grade waxes | COATED WAX TO BE REMOVED BEFORE CONSUMPTION |
7. | Frozen Desert/Frozen Confection | Frozen Desserts/Frozen Confection is made with _______________Edible Vegetable Oil*/and Vegetable Fat* |
8. | Common Salt | COMMON SALT FOR IODISATION*/ IRON FORTIFICATION*/ANIMAL USE*/ MEDICINE*/INDUSTRIAL USE* |
9. | Fresh fruit if coated with wax | Coated with wax (give name of wax) |
10. | Gelatine meant for human consumption | Gelatine Food Grade |
* Strike out whatever is not applicable.
(3) Every package containing the following articles of food and advertisement relating thereto shall carry the warning and/or declaration, in a rectangular box, namely, –
SI.No. | Articles of food | Declarations |
1. | Pan Masala | CHEWING OF PAN MASALA IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH |
2. | Supari | CHEWING OF SUPARI IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH |
3. | Aspartame (Methyl ester), Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose and Saccharin Sodium, Neotame marketed as “Table Top Sweetener” | (i) Contains……….. (name of artificial sweetener) (ii) Not recommended for children |
4. | Aspartame (Methyl ester), marketed as “Table Top Sweetener” | “Not for Phenylketonurics” |
(4) Every package of food containing the following ingredients/additives and advertisement relating thereto shall carry the following warning and declaration, in a rectangular box, namely, –
SI.No. | Articles of food | Declarations |
1. | Artificial/non-nutritive sweeteners mentioned in Food Safety and standards (Food Products standards and Food Additive) Regulations, 2011 | (i) This contains……………..(Name of the artificial/non-nutritive sweeteners). (ii) Not recommended for children. (iii) *Not for Phenylketonurics (if Aspartame is added) |
2. | Mixture of Aspartame (Methyl Ester) and Acesulfame Potassium Sweeteners mentioned in Food Safety and standards (Food Products standards and Food Additive) Regulations, 2011 | This…. (name of food) contains……….. and admixture of Aspartame (Methyl Ester and Acesulfame Potassium).(ii) Not recommended for children. (iii) *Not for Phenylketonurics (if Aspartame is added) |
3. | Every package of food which is permitted to contain artificial sweetener mentioned in Food Safety and Standards (Food Products standards and Food Additive) Regulations, 2011 | CONTAINS ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER AND FOR CALORIE CONCIOUS |
4. | Monosodium Glutamate | This package of (name of the food contains added) ………… MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR INFANTS BELOW -12 MONTHS AND PREGNANT WOMEN |
* Strike out whatever is not applicable. (5) Onetime usable plastic bottles of packaged drinking water and mineral water shall carry the following declaration.
CRUSH THE BOTTLE AFTER USE |
(6) Every package of fat spread, milk products, milk-based fruit drink, fermented milk products, soy and rice drink, cheese products, yoghurt products, spice sauces, salad dressings, juices and nectars containing plant stanol esters shall bear the following label, namely: —
Contains Plant Stanol Esters (as Plant Stanols) —gm/100 gm or 100ml. • Patients on cholesterol lowering medication should use the product under medical supervision. • May not be nutritionally appropriate for pregnant and lactating women and children under the age of five years. • CONSUMPTION OF MORE THAN 3g. PER DAY, TOTAL OF STEROL, STANOLS OR COMBINATION THEREFOF SHALL BE AVOIDED. |
(7) Every package of biscuits, bread, cakes, breakfast cereals, carbonated water, thermally processed fruits, fruit juices, fruit nectars, fruit beverages, fruit squashes, jam, jelly, fruit cheese, marmalade, dairy based drinks, milk powder, carbohydrate- based and milk product based sweets like gulabjamun, rosogolla, peda, khoya burfi, macroni products, noodles, pasta, sweets and confectionery, candies and icings, savouries and snacks wherever the trehalose is added shall bear the following label, namely:—
Contains Trehalose |
(8) Every package of flakes and ready to eat dry breakfast cereals, noodles, pasta, salad dressings or toppings and spreads; table top fibre as filler or carrier, cereals and other snack food or savouries and bakery products including biscuits, cookies, bread, cake mix and pastries and other products where dextrin is allowed under Food Safety and standards (Food Products standards and Food Additive) Regulations, 2011, containing added Dietary Fibre (Dextrin soluble fibre), shall bear the following declarations, namely:-
Contains Dietary Fibre (Dextrin) —- (Source of soluble Dietary Fibre) |
(9) Fat spread, milk products, milk-based fruit drink, fermented milk products, soy and rice drinks, cheese products, yoghurt products, spice sauces, salad dressings, juices and nectars, edible oils, and bakery products containing plant sterol shall contain the following declarations, namely: –
Contains Plant Sterol (as Phytosterols) —g/100g or 100ml. • Patients on cholesterol lowering medication should use the product under medical supervision • May not be nutritionally appropriate for pregnant and lactating women and children under the age of five years. • CONSUMPTION OF MORE THAN 3g/DAY, TOTAL OF STEROL, STANOLS, OR COMBINATION THEREOF, SHOULD BE AVOIDED |
(10) (a) The label of a food, which has been treated with ionizing radiation, shall carry a written statement indicating the treatment in close proximity to the name of the food. (b) Any food that has undergone the process of irradiation provided under Regulation 2.13 of Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, shall bear the Radura logo in green colour and following declaration on the label, namely: –
2. Specific requirements/ restrictions on manner of labelling
2.1 Labelling of infant milk substitute and infant food-
(1) An article of infant milk substitutes /infant foods, whose standards are not prescribed under Food Safety and Standards (Food Products standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 shall be manufactured for sale, exhibited for sale or stored for sale only after obtaining the approval of such articles of food and its label from the Authority.
(2) Without prejudice to any other provisions relating to labelling requirements contained in these regulations, every container of infant milk substitute or infant food or any label affixed thereto shall indicate in a clear, conspicuous and in an easily readable manner, the words “IMPORTANT NOTICE” in capital letters and indicating there under the following particulars, namely: –
(a) a statement “MOTHER’S MILK IS BEST FOR YOUR BABY” in capital letters. The types of letters used shall not be less than five millimetres and the text of such statement shall be in the Central Panel of every container of infant milk substitute or infant food or any label affixed thereto. The colour of the text printed or used shall be different from that of the background of the label, container as the case may be. In case of infant food, a statement indicating “infant food shall be introduced only (after the age of six months and up to the age of two years)” shall also be given;
(b) a statement that infant milk substitute or infant food should be used only on the advice of a health worker.
(c) a warning that infant milk substitute or infant food is not the sole source of nourishment of an infant;
(d) a statement indicating the process of manufacture (e.g. spray dried) except in case of infant foods, instruction for appropriate and hygienic preparation including cleaning of utensils, bottles and teats and warning against health hazards of inappropriate preparations, as under: “Warning/ caution-Careful and hygienic preparation of infant foods/infant milk substitute is most essential for health. Do not use fewer scoops than directed since diluted feeding will not provide adequate nutrients needed by your infant. Do not use more scoops than directed since concentrated feed will not provide the water needed by your infant”.
(e) the storage condition specifically stating “store in a cool and dry place in an air tight container” or the like (after opening use the contents within the period mentioned or the expiry date whichever is earlier);
(f) the feeding chart and directions for use and instruction for discarding leftover feed;
(g) Instruction for use of measuring scoop (level or heaped) and the quantity per scoop (scoop to be given with pack);
(h) the protein efficiency ratio (PER) shall be minimum 2.5 if the product is claimed to have higher quality protein;
(i) the specific name of the food additives, if permitted, shall be declared in addition to appropriate class names.
(3) No containers or label referred to in 2.1(2) relating to infant milk substitute or infant food shall have a picture of infant or women or both. It shall not have picture or other graphic materials or phrases designed to increase the saleability of the infant milk substitute or infant food. The terms “Humanised” or “Maternalised” or any other similar words shall not be used. The Package and/or any other label of infant milk substitute or infant food shall not exhibit the words, “Full Protein Food”, “energy Food”, “Complete food” or “Health Food” or any other similar expression.
(4) The containers of infant milk substitute meant for (premature baby (born before 37 weeks)/low birth weight infant (less than 2.5kg) or labels affixed thereto shall indicate the following additional information, namely: –
(a) the words [PREMATURE BABY (BORN BEFORE 37 WEEKS) LOW BIRTH WEIGHT (LESS THAN 2.5 KG] in capital letters along with the product name in central panel;
(b) a statement “the low birth weight infant milk substitute shall be withdrawn under medical advice as soon as the mother’s milk is sufficiently available”; and
(c) a statement “TO BE TAKEN UNDER MEDICAL ADVICE” in capital letters.
(5) The product which contains neither milk nor any milk derivatives shall be labelled “contains no milk or milk products or milk derivatives” in conspicuous manner.
(6) The container of infant milk substitute for lactose or lactose and sucrose intolerant infants or label affixed thereto shall indicate conspicuously “LACTOSE-FREE or SUCROSE-FREE or LACTOSE and SUCROSE-FREE” in capital letters and statement “TO BE TAKEN UNDER MEDICAL ADVICE”
(7) The container of infant milk substitute meant for infants with allergy to cow’s /buffalo’s milk protein and proteins listed as potential allergen under regulation 4.2.2 clause (f) thereto shall indicate conspicuously “HYPOALLERGENIC FORMULA” and statement “TO BE TAKEN UNDER MEDICAL ADVICE” in capital letters on the label.
(8) There shall be a surrounding line enclosing the declaration where the words “not recommended for babies under 6 months of age” are required to be used.
(9) The distance between any part of the words “not recommended for babies under 6 months of age” surrounding the line enclosing these words shall not be less than 1.5 mm.
2.2 Labelling of edible oils and fats
- The package, label or the advertisement of edible refined vegetable oils and fats shall not use any exaggerated expressions like “Super-Refined”, “Extra-Refined”, “Micro-Refined”, “Double refined,”, Ultra-Refined”. (2) Every package of vanaspati made from more than 30 percent of Rice bran oil shall bear the following label, namely: – ‘This package of vanaspati is made from more than 30 per cent Rice bran oil by weight” (3) A package containing annatto colour in vegetable oils shall bear the following label namely:—
Contains Annatto colour |
(4) Every package containing an admixture of edible oils shall carry the following label declaration immediately below its brand name/trade name on front of pack, namely: –
Blended Edible Vegetable Oil (Name and nature* of edible vegetable oil) ……………………. % by weight (Name and nature* of edible vegetable oil) ………………………% by weight |
(*i.e. in raw or refined form)
The font size of the label declaration “Blended Edible Vegetable Oil” shall not be less than 5 mm and for label declaration “Name and nature of edible vegetable oil…. % by weight”, font size shall not be less than 3mm:
Provided that the font size of the label declaration shall not be less than 10mm in case the net quantity of the edible oil contained in the packages is 5 litre and above.
There shall also be the following declaration in bold capital letters along with the name of product on front/central panel, –
NOT TO BE SOLD LOOSE |
2.3 Coffee-Chicory Mixture
(1) Every package containing a mixture of coffee and chicory shall have affixed to it a label upon which shall be printed the following declaration:
Coffee blended with Chicory
This mixture contains
Coffee…………………………… Percent
Chicory…………………………. Percent
- Every package containing Instant Coffee-Chicory mixture shall have affixed to it a label upon which shall be printed the following declarations:
Instant Coffee-Chicory mixture made from blends of coffee and chicory
Coffee…………………………… Percent
Chicory…………………………. Percent
2.4 Labelling of Milk and Milk products
(1) All Milk powders, skimmed milk powders and condensed milk or similar products, which can be reconstituted into liquid milk, shall carry the following declaration on label:
Not to be used as infant milk substitute |
- In the case of condensed milk (sweetened and flavoured):
NOT TO BE USED FOR INFANTS BELOW SIX MONTHS |
2.5 Labelling prohibitions on packaged drinking water and packaged mineral water
(1) No claims concerning medicinal (preventative, alleviative or curative) effects shall be made in respect of the properties of the product covered by the standard. Claims of other beneficial effects related to the health of the consumer shall not be made”
(2) The name of the locality, hamlet or specified place may not form part of the trade name unless it refers to packaged water collected at the place designated by that trade name.
(3) The use of any statement or of any pictorial device which may create confusion in the mind of the public or in any way mislead the public about the nature, origin, composition, and properties of such waters put on sale is prohibited.
2.6 Labelling of ‘Gluten Free’ products
- The term “Gluten Free” shall be printed in the immediate proximity of the name of the product in the case of products described in regulation 2.14 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, namely: –
“Gluten Free” |
In case any gluten free product is manufactured in a plant where gluten containing products are also manufactured this shall be declared on the label as “Processed in a plant where gluten containing products are manufactured”
Labelling of Alcoholic Beverages
The labels of Alcoholic Beverages shall carry a statutory warning as mentioned below, printed in English language. In case, respective states wish the same to be printed in their local or regional language, the same shall be allowed, without the need for repeating the English version. The font size of statutory warning shall not be less than 1.5 mm for pack size up to 200 ml and 3 mm for pack size above 200 ml.
CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH. BE SAFE – DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE |
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