Through a letter dated 17th January 2020 the FSSAI has clarified the rectification process for cases of minor labelling defects. The FSSAI has advised that in cases where there is no food safety concern then the Food Safety Officers must issue improvement notice instead of carrying out adjudication proceedings against the concerned Food Business Operators (FBO). Resorting to adjudication proceedings for minor labelling defects, where there is no threat to food safety, not only causes undue harassment to the FBOs but also is a waste of scarce resources of enforcement machinery of the States/ UTs. These resources can be better utilised more meaningfully elsewhere to ensure safe and nutritious food to the consumers.
FSSAI has compiled a list of labelling defects which have been categorised into
- exceptions (minor labelling defects of an insignificant nature and without any food safety concern)
- as well as those which are mandatory cases and against which adjudication action would be taken
The list is provided below in Annexure -I. The FSSAI has advised the governments of the State/UTs to issue instructions to the State DOs and FSOs to deal with cases involving minor defects and not posing any food safety concerns under Section 32 of the FSS Act under intimation to the FSSAI.
Annexure -I
Minor labelling defects for which compliance measure shall be initiated through
Improvement Notice
S. No. | Minor Labelling Defects | Exceptions for Certain Categories | Mandatory Cases/Categories |
1. | Deviation in the display format of FSSAI License number and Logo | All categories | Nil |
2. | Improper printing, like printing over the sealed edge so the details are non-readable | Small scale Sweets and Savouries units which are sold in packets for immediate consumption | All other foods |
3. | List of ingredients not displayed on the label |
1. Single ingredient food 2. Small scale Sweet and Savouries units which are sold in packets for immediate consumption |
All Compound ingredient foods other than listed in Exception column |
4. | Lot/ Batch Code number not displayed on the label |
1. Small scale Sweet and Savouries units which are sold in packets for immediate consumption 2. Repacking by departmental stores and retail outlets |
1. Nutraceuticals 2. All other foods |
5. | Nutritional Fats not displayed on the label |
1.Single ingredient foods 2. Small scale Sweet and Savouries units which are sold in packets for immediate consumption |
1. Nutraceuticals 2. Biscuits 3. Dieting supplements 4. Milk and Milk Products other than sweets |
6. | Non-compliance in respect of capital letters/ mentioned in box/ font size but the content is in compliance | All categories | Nil |
7. | Veg and Non-veg logo not displayed on the label |
1. Small scale Sweet and Savouries units which are sold in packets for immediate consumption. 2. Edible Vegetable Oil |
1. Ghee and vanaspati 2. Nutraceuticals 3. Bakery items 4. Ice-creams |
NOTE: All other parameters mentioned in the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations 2011, shall be considered mandatory.
Source: FSSAI
Parmendar Rana says
This is an good initiative
Pankaj Gaur says
Sir do we have any packaging guidelines for cement industry.
FSH Team says
we can only help you with the food industry guidelines.