Food Labelling serves as a primary link of communication between the manufacturer or packer of food on the one hand and distributor, seller, and user or consumer on the other hand. By way of labeling the manufacturer introduces his product to his distributor or seller and to the target consumer or user of his product by providing all the information regarding his product on the label.
The manufacturer can impress the consumer or its target user that it is the product of his choice, which suits him/her according to his/her needs. Thereby, the correct and required labeling undoubtedly promotes the sale of his product.
As per Food Laws every packaged food article has to be labeled and it has to be labeled in accordance to the law applicable in the country of the user. Every packaged food article for the domestic use has to be labeled in accordance to the related Indian Food Law i.e. Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, notified by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The packaged food for export has to be labeled in accordance to the food laws and regulations applicable to the importing country.
In order to safe guard the interest of the consumer, The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, provides that every packaged food article has to be labeled and it shall provide the following information –
- The name of Food
- List of Ingredients,
- Nutritional Information,
- Declaration regarding Veg or non-veg,
- Declaration regarding Food Additives,
- Name and complete address of the manufacturer or packer
- Net Quantity,
- Code No,/Lot No./Batch No.,
- Date of manufacture or packing,
- Best Before and Use By Date,
- Country of Origin for imported food and
- Instructions for use
In addition to the above information the manufacturer or the packer has to also ensure that the label complies with the general requirements of labeling prescribed under the regulations I.e. the label should not become separated from the container, contents on the label shall be correct, clear and readily legible and shall be in English or Hindi language, etc.
It is very easy to notice the defect in labeling through visual inspection and there is no need to send the sample for analysis and no analysis report is required to identify the labeling defects. If the food product is not labeled in accordance to the regulations or it does not provide the required complete information or the food product is promoted for sale with false, misleading or deceptive claims then it is considered as misbranded food and attracts the penalties as given below-
OFFENCES & PENALTIES
- Misbranded Food Up to 3lakh rupee
- Misleading advertisement Up to 10lakh rupees
The consumer can notice the labeling defect easily through visual inspection and that may create suspicion about the quality of the product also in the mind of the consumer.
If during food inspection the regulator notices any labeling defect then it creates doubt in the mind of the regulator about the quality of the food product also and invariably the sample of such food product is taken and sent for analysis for the check of its quality also.
If on analysis the sample is found non-complying to the standards then the food product is declared as substandard besides misbranding and prosecution is launched for substandard and also for misbranding i.e labeling defect. Even if the sample is found confirming to standards, the prosecution is launched for misbranding.
From the above discussion, it is clear that on one hand the correct and appropriate labeling convince the user that it is the product for him/her and he/she should buy it and indirectly promotes the sale of the product. On the other hand incorrect and incomplete labelling makes the food product misbranded, suspicious of its quality and attracts the attention of the regulators for its quality check and further leads to prosecution.
In view of above, the Food Business Operator can understand the importance of correct labelling and if the label declaration is incorrect and not in accordance to the regulations then the FBOs have to face the implications of the FSS acts.
The Food Business Operator is responsible for providing the correct and requisite information on the label to the consumers. Considering the importance of correct labeling, We have made this course for awareness of the Food Business Operators on labeling of packaged food products in accordance to food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011,notified by FSSAI which is effective in India w.e.f. August 5, 2011. This Packaging and Labelling Regulations are summarized in the following modules:
- General Requirements and Manner of Labelling
- The name of Food and List of Ingredients,
- Nutritional Information,
- Declaration regarding Veg or Non-veg,
- Declaration regarding Food Additives,
- Name of Manufacturer or packer and Country of Origin
- Net Quantity
- Lot No. /Batch No./Code No.
- Date of manufacture or packing and Best Before or Use By Date,
- Instructions for Use
- Specific Requirements and Manner of Labelling for Infant Milk Substitute and Infant Foods
- Specific Labelling Requirements of edible oils and fats, permitted food colors and irradiated foods
- Specific Requirements and Manner of Labelling of Other Food Products
- Specific Restrictions on product labels and advertisement
- Exemptions from labeling requirements
“Labelling means to introduce a product for sale by providing comprehensive information about the product to the target consumer market besides ensuring safety standards of the regulatory body. A useful elaborated information about the label leaves good impression on the consumers seeking required details about the product”
PS – This is the module 1 of the 15 modules free e-course on food labelling in compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act. In the next module, we will discuss the general requirements of food labelling and share how the product & other information has to be mentioned on the label.
Once you register and subscribe to the course, we will send you the first module on the third day from the registration and the subsequent modules will be sent in the similar pattern i.e. with a gap of two days.
prtaibha nand says
Very informative
Hasmukh Amin says
Whether percentage of ingredients used is required to be mentioned in the label ? if yes what are the rules
Regards
Hasmukh
FSH Team says
Hi,
Please read: http://ow.ly/uOHLi
Siraj Shaikh says
I want to launch a Product in the Market, ” Instant Tea Mix”.For that one needs to adhere to the compliances of FDA, Food Licence, Packaging & Labelling requirements.
Can any one if you please guide me regarding the process.
Appreciating the Valuable Feedbacks.
FSH Team says
Hi,
We can help you in this regard. You may please call on: 8588858512.
Shilpi says
Hi,
I opened d packet of Tata salt last week and noticed today that it has started turning light blue…..
Please advise how to go forward with it.
Best Regards,
Shilpi
FSH Team says
You may get it tested from a NABL certified Food Lab to know what is wrong with it. Iodised salt contains Iodine and Iodine also gives blue colour with starch under favourable conditions. So before concluding any thing you need to get it tested. You can send your samples for testing at https://testing-lab.com/food-testing/
vishal says
you conduct any exam for the course, did we get certificate after completion of the e-course.
Dr. Saurabh Arora says
Hi Vishal, there is no exam or certificate at the end of this course, we are developing a certificate course which will have this.
eldhose says
Hi,
I work for a leading gelatin manufacturing company in India. Our major products are food products but not RTE products. We supply our products in bulk packages ie 10Kg,20Kg,50Kg etc in paper bags to our customers. I would like to know, what are the labelling requirements as per FSSAI for such bulk packages.
FSH Team says
You can read through the given link – https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Compendium_Packaging_Labelling_Regulations_22_01_2019.pdf
vivek says
Hi,
I am getting dry snacks from a manufacturer but want to sell them under my brand name so what are the label compulsions and what license do we require.
FSH Team says
For labelling information, you can visit – https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Compendium_Packaging_Labelling_Regulations_22_01_2019.pdf
For License information – https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Compendium_Licensing_Regulations.pdf
Pavan pinjarkar says
I want to start a business of spices (powder form) manufacturing, plz tell me whether it is manditory to print nutritional information on labels or not?
Rrgards
Pavan pinjarkar
Dr. Saurabh Arora says
Hi Pavan it depends on the composition and nature of your products. you can contact us using the form on this page http://foodsafetyhelpline.com/contact-us-2/ and our team will guide you.
alok dubey says
i purchased shakti bhog 5 kg att
a date of packaging is 3/12/2015 best before 4 months what is it 3 dec 2015 or 12 march 2015 its really confusing plz reply
Dr. Saurabh Arora says
In India we mostly follow the DD/MM/YYYY forma so it will be 3rd December
Archana says
I am unable to subscribe or read the full course. Please help I am interested in the topic and want to know more about it.
Dr. Saurabh Arora says
H you can signup to het the full course here http://foodsafetyhelpline.com/free-e-courses/food-labelling/
deepak singh khainal says
sir i found a food product before its manufacturing date what should i do ….it shows 19/03/2016 manufactured
Dr. Saurabh Arora says
Hi Deepak, you can use the FSSAI mobile app to report this to the authority. Download it here https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.i2i.fssaiapp&hl=en
Blesson Jacob says
Dear Sir ,
I work in Hotel Industry
I have worked abroad for 5 years
The rule there is if we transfer a particular item eg:sugar from its original packet to an airtight container then the airtight container should be labelled with the original date on the sugar packet,
Does the same rule apply in India as well.?
And please also guide about date labelling in chiller and freezer.
Its usually 3 days for items stored in chiller and 1 month for food item stored in freezer.
Dr. Saurabh Arora says
Hi Jacob, these are food practices that allow for proper traceability.if unlabeled materials are stored the liability comes totally on the food business in case if sampling and failure. If the material is properly labeled and stored the responsibility of the producer is also there. In the end it is all about providing safe food to the consumer, all steps taken to achieve this are essential.
Amit jagtap says
Hello,
We manufacture & print all types of T- shirts, as per client’s requirement and design. We also print company / firm’s logo or any type of promotional name or images on T-shirt.
We would like to supply T-shirts to your company as per your requirements.
We hope you’ll give us chance to provide service to your company & we assure you that you’ll be satisfied with us. Please give time for an appointment when comfortable for you.
Awaiting for your reply.Kindly forward mail to purchase/ marketing department.
Thank you.
Saurabh Chudgar says
Can you give me idea for labelling and packaging of general non-perishable items. For.eg Utensils, Plastic ware etc.
Suyash says
Hi,
In case of imported beverage, is the MRP of the product printed after the item has been imported? or should the MRP be already printed on the label at the time it reaches customs?
Amp says
I want to know
1.Rounding rules of Nutritional Information
Suresh says
Dr. Arora,
I wish to start (market & distribute) my own brand of ready-to-eat food items. But I will outsource the manufacturing to a reputed manufacturer.
In this case, do i need to add both my FSSAI and the manufacturer’s FSSAI license on the pack?
Also, is it mandatory to add the manufacturer’s (the outsourced unit) name and address on the pack?
Thanks
Suresh
Dr. Saurabh Arora says
Yes you will have to.
Zubair Khan says
Hi Dr. Saurabh
I am just starting up (Starting up from zero, In fact I need to test the demand so starting with very small quantity)
Do I need FSSAI even before I begin sale of my first batch?
or I can start my operations, and then comfortably apply for FSSAI registration?
Regards
Zubair
PABLO says
Good morning
Im trying to subscribe to the full course but Im not able to do it. There is a message saying “Invalid list ID”, what should i do?
Shekhar Jain says
When we import Raw Dried Fruits in Bulk, clean resort and pack them here in India in consumer packs. Do we still have to mention “Country of Origin”
Naina says
Hi,
I am looking to export some food items from india to US with my own branding. How do I start the process?The actual manufacturer will be someone else.
What are the requirements and steps to foolow. I am first looking to take some samples and distribute it to some retailers in US. If I get the orders what will be the next steps?Is there anything that I need to follow regarding samples
Soumya says
Dr.Arora,
Please suggest me, How do you name Hydrolysed vegetable proteins (Soy, Corn) in Packed foods in India, Also Soy sauce powder & Skimmed milk powder – Can we name the same or need to change? What does the Food standards in India recommend?
Dipendra Kumar Singh says
I purchased 25kg rice packet .MRP,Batch no and packing date is not written on it where should I complaint.
FSH Team says
FSSAI has an app for complaints https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fssai.fssai
B. madhavan says
Sir
I’m planning to commence one unit for natural herbs like basil , curry leaves etc in a powder form. I need to clarify that can it be packed in the organic or veg capsules? If so pl guide me .
thanks
Dr. Saurabh Arora says
Yes they can be but you need to comply with the nutraceutical regulations. Such products might be better classified as ayurvedic products.
nikil says
Thank You sir for such an informative article,
i want to sell packaged milk, do I need to verify nutritional values from a lab? or can i simply get values from any source(if you suggest).