Specific Requirements/ Restrictions on manner of labelling

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:—
   1. a statement “MOTHER’S MILK IS BEST FOR YOUR BABY” in capital letters. The types of letters used shall not be less than five millimeters 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 upto the age of two years)” shall also be given;
   2. a statement that infant milk substitute or infant food should be used only on the advice of a health worker as to the need for its use and the proper method of its use
   3. a warning that infant milk substitute or infant food is not the sole source of nourishment of an infant
   4. 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”.
   5. the approximate composition of nutrients per 100 gms. of the product including its energy value in Kilo Calories/Joules;
   6. 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);
   7. the feeding chart and directions for use and instruction for discarding leftover feed
   8. Instruction for use of measuring scoop (level or heaped) and the quantity per scoop (scoop to be given with pack)
   9. indicating the Batch No. Month and Year of its manufacture and expiry date
   10. the protein efficiency ratio (PER) which shall be minimum 2.5 if the product other than infant milk substitute is claimed to have higher quality protein
   11. 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 2.4.1(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 2500gm) or labels affixed thereto shall indicate the following additional information, namely:—
   1. 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
   2. 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
   3. 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 product” 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” and shall also bear the following statements, namely:—
   “Lactose free Infant Milk Substitute should only be used in case of diarrhea due to lactose intolerance.
   The lactose free/sucrose free Infant Milk Substitute should be withdrawn if there is no improvement in symptoms of intolerance”
7. The container of infant milk substitute meant for infants with allergy to cow’s /buffalo’s milk protein or soy protein or label affixed thereto shall indicate conspicuously “HYPOALLERGENIC FORMULA” in capital letters and statement “TO BE TAKEN UNDER MEDICAL ADVICE”
8. Declaration to be surrounded by line
   There shall be a surrounding line enclosing the declaration where the words “unsuitable for babies” are required to be used
   1. Distance of surrounding line:
      The distance between any part of the words “unsuitable for babies” surrounding the line enclosing these words shall not be less than 1.5 mm

Labelling of edible oils and fats

1. The package, label or the advertisement of edible oils and fats shall not use the expressions “Super-Refined”, “Extra-Refined”, “Micro-Refined”, “Double-Refined”, Ultra-Refined”, “Anti-Cholesterol”, “Cholesterol Fighter”, “Soothing to Heart”, “Cholesterol Friendly”, “Saturated Fat Free” or such other expressions which are an exaggeration of the quality of the Product
2. Every container in which solvent-extracted oil or de-oiled meal or edible flour is packed for sale shall, at the time of sale by the producer, bear the following particulars in English or Hindi (Devnagri script) :—
   1. the name, trade name, if any, or description of the solvent-extracted oil or de-oiled meal or edible flour, as the case may be:
   2. in the case of oil not conforming to the standards of quality for “refined” grade solvent extracted oils specified in regulation 2.2.6 (1) of Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additive) Regulation, 2011 for Edible vegetable oil/Vanaspati, a declaration in a type-size of not less than 50 mm, as follows shall appear on the label:
      1. “NOT FOR DIRECT EDIBLE CONSUMPTION”, in the case of oils complying with the requirements for the “semi-refined” or “raw-grade 1” grades of oil specified in regulation 2.2.6 (1) of Food Safety and Standards(Food Products standards and Food Additive) Regulation, 2011
      2. “FOR INDUSTRIAL NON-EDIBLE USES ONLY”, in the case of oils not complying with the requirements under item (a) above;
   3. name and business particulars of the producer;
   4. the net weight of the contents in the container;
   5. the batch number, month and year of manufacture
      Provided that where solvent extracted oils are transported in bulk in rail tank-wagons or road tankers, or where de-oiled meal or edible flour is transported in bulk either for storage in silos or transferred to ship for bulk shipment, it shall be sufficient if the aforesaid particulars are furnished in the accompanying documents.
3. Every container in which solvent is packed shall, at the time of sale by the manufacturer or dealer thereof, bear the Indian Standards Institution certification mark
4. Every container in which vanaspati, margarine, bakery shortening, blended edible vegetable oils, mixed fat spread and refined vegetable oil is packed in addition to other labelling requirements provided in these regulations shall bear the following particulars in English or Hindi in Devnagri script
   1. The name/description of the contents, “free from Argemone Oil”
   2. The mass/volume of the contents
   3. Contains trans fatty acids not more than________percent by weight, and saturated fatty acids not more than______percent by weight
5. Every container of refined vegetable oil shall bear the following label, namely,— Refined (name of the Oil) Oil
   Provided that the container of imported edible oil shall also bear the word, “Imported”, as prefix
6. Every package containing an admixture of palmolein with groundnut oil shall carry the following label, namely,— BLEND OF PALMOLEIN AND GROUNDNUT OIL
7. Every package containing an admixtu`re of imported rape-seed oil with mustard oil, shall carry the following label, namely – BLEND OF IMPORTED RAPE-SEED OIL AND MUSTARD OIL
8. 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
9. Every package containing Fat Spread shall carry the following labels namely:— Milk Fat SpreadUse before ………….., Date of packing …………, Total Milk Fat Content Per cent by weight…………, Mixed Fat Spread Use before ………….., Date of packing …………, Per cent by weight…………, Milk Fat Content……….., Total Milk Fat Content Percent by weight……, Vegetable Fat Spread Use before ………….., Date of packing …………, Total Fat Content Per cent by weight ……
10. package containing annatto colour in vegetable oils shall bear the following label namely :—Annatto colour in oil (Name of oil/oils) used
11. Every package containing an admixture of edible oils shall carry the following label, namely:— This blended edible vegetable oil contains an admixture of :
    ……………….% by Weight
    …………….% by Weight
    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

Labelling of permitted food colours

1. No person shall sell a permitted synthetic food colours for use in or upon food unless its container carries a label stating the following particulars:—
   1. the words “Food Colours”;
   2. the chemical and the common or commercial name and colour index of the dye-stuff.
2. No person shall sell a mixture of permitted synthetic food colours for use in or upon food unless its container carries a label stating the following particulars:—
   1. the words “Food Colour Mixture”;
   2. the chemical and the common or commercial name and colour index of the dye stuff contained in the mixture.
3. No person shall sell a preparation of permitted synthetic food colours for use in or upon food unless its container carries a label stating the following particulars:—
   1. the words “Food Colour Preparation”;
   2. the name of the various ingredients used in the preparation

Labelling of irradiated Food

Irradiated foods.- 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.

In addition all packages of irradiated food shall bear the following declaration and logo, namely:—

PROCESSED BY IRRADIATION METHOD

DATE OF IRRADIATION ………………

LICENSE NO of Irradiation Unit………………………………..

PURPOSE OF IRRADIATION…………………

Specific Labelling Requirements of other Products

1. 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…………………………… Per cent, Chicory………………………….. Per cent
   2. 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…………………………… Per cent, Chicory………………………….. Per cent
2. CONDENSED MILK OR DESICCATED (DRIED) MILK
   Every package containing condensed milk or desiccated (dried) milk shall bear a label upon which is printed such one of the following declarations as may be applicable or such other declaration substantially to the like effect as may be allowed by the State Government, namely,—
   1. In the case of condensed milk (unsweetened): CONDENSED MILK UNSWEETENED (Evaporated Milk) (This tin contains the equivalent) of (x)……… litres of toned milk
   2. In the case of condensed milk (sweetened): CONDENSED MILK SWEETENED This tin contains the equivalent of (x)……… litres of toned milk with sugar added
   3. In the case of condensed skimmed milk (unsweetened): CONDENSED SKIMMED MILK UNSWEETENED (Evaporated Skimmed Milk) This tin contains the equivalent of (x)……… litres of skimmed milk
   4. In the case of condensed skimmed milk (sweetened): CONDENSED SKIMMED MILK SWEETENED This tin contains the equivalent of (x)…….litres of skimmed milk with sugar added”
   5. In the case of condensed milk (sweetened and flavoured): This has been flavoured with…………. NOT TO BE USED FOR INFANTS BELOW SIX MONTHS
   6. In the case of condensed milk/condensed Skimmed milk (unsweetened) Sterilised by Ultra High Temperature (UHT) treatment: This has been sterilised by UHT
   7. In the case of milk powder: MILK POWDER This tin contains the equivalent of (x)….. litres of toned milk
   8. In the case of milk powder which contains lecithin: MILK POWDER IN THIS PACKAGE CONTAINS LECITHIN
   9. In the case of partly skimmed milk powder : PARTLY SKIMMED MILK POWDER This tin contains the equivalent of (x)……… litres of partly skimmed milk having……… per cent milk fat
   10. In the case of skimmed milk powder: SKIMMED MILK POWDER This tin contains the equivalent of (x)……… litres of skimmed milk
3. The declaration shall in each case be completed by inserting at (x) the appropriate number in words and in figures, for example, “one and a half (1½)”, any fraction being expressed as eight quarters or a half, as the case may be.
4. There shall not be placed on any package containing condensed milk or desiccated (dried) milk any comment on, explanation of, or reference to either the statement of equivalence, contained in the prescribed declaration or on the words “machine skimmed” “skimmed” or “unsuitable for babies” except instructions as to dilution as follows:
   “To make a fluid not below the composition of toned milk or skimmed milk (as the case may be) with the contents of this package, add (here insert the number of parts) of water by volume to one part by volume of this condensed milk or desiccated (dried) milk”.
   Sweetened condensed milk and other similar products which are not suitable for infant feeding shall not contain any instruction of modifying them for infant feeding.
5. Wherever the word “milk” appears on the label of a package of condensed skimmed milk or of desiccated (dried) skimmed milk as the description or part of the description of the contents, it shall be immediately preceded or followed by the word “machine skimmed” or “partly skimmed”, as the case may be.
6. Fluid milk: — The caps of the milk bottles /pouch/tetrapack shall clearly indicate the nature of the milk contained in them. The indication may be either in full or by abbreviation shown below :
   1. Buffalo milk may be denoted by the letter ‘B’
   2. Cow milk may be denoted by the letter ‘C’
   3. Goat milk may be denoted by the letter ‘G’
   4. Standardized milk may be denoted by the letter ‘S’
   5. Toned milk may be denoted by the letter ‘T’
   6. Double toned milk may be denoted by the letter ‘DT’
   7. Skimmed milk may be denoted by the letter ‘K’
   8. Pasteurised milk may be denoted by the letter ‘P; followed by the class of milk. For example Pasteurised Buffalo milk shall bear the letters ‘PB ‘.
   9. Alternatively suitable indicative colours of the packs/caps/bags shall be indicative of the nature of milk contained in them, the classification of colours being displayed at places where milk is sold\stored or exhibited for sale, provided that the same had been simultaneously intimated to the concerned Designated Officer, and information disseminated through the local media
7. Ice cream — Every dealer in ice-cream or mixed ice-cream who in the street or other place of public resort, sells or offers or exposes for sale, ice-cream or ice-candy, from a stall or from a cart, barrow or other vehicle or from a basket, phial, tray or other container used without a staff or a vehicle shall have his name and address along with the name and address of the manufacturer, if any, legibly and conspicuously ‘displayed’ on the stall, vehicle or container as the case may be.
8. Hingra — Every container containing Hingra shall bear a label upon which is printed a declaration in the following form, namely ,—
   “This container contains Hingra (Imported from Iran\Afghanistan) and is certified to be conforming to the standards laid down in the Food Safety and Standards regulations”
9. Light Black Pepper:- Every package containing light black pepper shall bear the following label in addition to the Agmark seal and the requirements prescribed under regulation 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 of these regulations: Light Black Pepper (Light berries)
10. Every package containing “Cassia Bark” shall bear the following label. CASSIA BARK (TAJ)
11. Every package containing “CINNAMON” shall bear the following label CINNAMON (DALCHINI)
12. Every package of chillies which contains added edible oil shall bear the following label: CHILLIES IN THIS PACKAGE CONTAINS AN ADMIXTURE OF NOT MORE THAN 2 PERCENT OF……………….(NAME OF OIL) EDIBLE OIL
13. Every package of ice-cream, kulfi, kulfa and chocolate ice-cream containing starch shall have a declaration on a label as specified in regulation 2.7.1(2)
14. Masala: Every package of mixed masala fried in oil shall bear the following label: MIXED MASALA (FRIED) THIS MASALA HAS BEEN FRIED IN (Name of the edible oil used)
15. Compounded Asafoetida: Every container of compounded asafoetida shall indicate the approximate composition of edible starch or edible cereal flour used in the compound, on the label.
16. Every package containing maida treated with improver or bleaching agents shall carry the following label, namely,- WHEAT FLOUR TREATED WITH IMPROVER/BLEACHING AGENTS, TO BE USED BY BAKERIES ONLY
17. Unless otherwise provided in these regulations, every package of malted milk food which contains added natural colouring matter except caramel, shall bear the following label, namely,- MALTED MILK FOOD IN THIS PACKAGE CONTAINS PERMITTED NATURAL COLOURING MATTER
18. Every advertisement for and/or a package of food containing added Monosodium Glutamate shall carry the following declaration, namely,- This package of (name of the food contains added)………… MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR INFANTS BELOW -12 MONTHS
19. Every container of refined salseed fat shall bear the following label, namely,- REFINED SALSEED FAT FOR USE IN BAKERY AND CONFECTIONERY ONLY
20. Every container or package of table iodised salt or iron fortified common salt containing permitted anticaking agent shall bear the following label, namely,- IODIZED SALT / IRON FORTIFIED COMMON SALT* CONTAINS PERMITTED ANTICAKING AGENT
21. Every container or package of iron fortified common salt shall bear the following label, namely,— IRON FORTIFIED COMMON SALT
22. Every package of Dried Glucose Syrup containing sulphur dioxide exceeding 40 ppm shall bear the following label namely,— DRIED GLUCOSE SYRUP FOR USE IN SUGAR CONFECTIONERY ONLY
23. A package containing tea with added flavour shall bear the following label, namely,- “FLAVOURED TEA” (common name of permitted flavour/percentage) Registration No….
24. Every package of food which is permitted to contain artificial sweetener mentioned in table given in regulation 3.1.3 (1) of Food Safety and standards (Food Products standards and Food Additive) Regulations, 2011 and an advertisement for such food shall carry the following label, namely,—
    1. This contains …………….. (Name of the artificial sweeteners). (ii) Not recommended for children.
    2. (a) *Quantity of sugar added …………… gm/100 gm.
       (b) No sugar added in the product.
    3. *Not for Phenylketonurics (if Aspertame is added)
25. In addition to the declarations under regulation 2.4.5 (24 and 26), every package of food which is permitted to contain artificial sweetener mentioned in table in regulation 3.1.3 (1)of Food Safety and Standards (Food Products standards and Food Additive) Regulations, 2011 and an advertisement for such food shall carry the following label, namely,- CONTAINS ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER AND FOR CALORIE CONSCIOUS
26. The declaration under regulation 2.4.5 (25) shall be provided along with name or trade name of product and shall be half of the size of the name/ trade name. The declaration may be given in two sentences, but in the same box.
27. Every package of Aspertame (Methyl ester), Acesulfame K, Sucralose and Saccharin Sodium, Neotame marketed as Table Top Sweetener and every advertisement for such Table Top Sweetener shall carry the following label, namely,- (i) Contains……….. (name of artificial sweetener) (ii) Not recommended for children
    Provided that the package of aspertame (Methyl ester), marketed as Table Top Sweetener and every advertisement for such Table Top Sweetener shall carry the following label, namely,— “Not for Phenylketonurics”
28. Every package of food which is permitted to contain a mixture of Aspertame (Methyl Ester) and Acesulfame Potassium Sweeteners mentioned in the Table given in regulation 3.1.3(1) of Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additive) Regulation,2011, shall carry the following label, namely,- This ……………..…… (Name of food) contains ……………..……….. contains an admixture of Aspertame (Methyl Ester and Acesulfame Potassium. Not recommended for children. (a) *Quantity of sugar added..……………gm/100gm, (b) No sugar added in the product. *Not for Phenylketoneurics (if Aspertame is added)
29. Every package of food which is permitted to contain a mixture of Acesulfame Potassium and Sucralose sweeteners mentioned in the Table given in Regulation 3.1.2 (1) of Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additive) Regulation,2011 shall carry the following label, namely,— This …………(Name of Food) contains a mixture of Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium; (ii) Not recommended for children; *(a) Quantity of sugar added………………………gm/100gm; *(b) No sugar added in the product;
30. Every package of Pan Masala and advertisement relating thereto, shall carry the following warning, namely,— Chewing of Pan Masala is injurious to health
31. Every package of supari and advertisement relating thereto shall carry the following warning in conspicuous and bold print, namely,— Chewing of Supari is injurious to Health
32. Every package of fruit squash by whatever name it is sold, containing additional sodium or potassium salt shall bear the following label, namely,— IT CONTAINS ADDITIONAL SODIUM/POTASSIUM SALT
33. Every package of Cheese (hard), surface treated with Natamycin, shall bear the following label, namely,— SURFACE TREATED WITH NATAMYCIN
34. Every package of Bakery and Industrial Margarine made from more than 30 per cent of Rice Bran Oil shall bear the following label, namely,— This package of Bakery & Industrial Margarine is made from more than 30 per cent of Rice Bran Oil by Wt.
35. Every container or package of flavour emulsion and flavour paste meant for use in carbonated or non-carbonated beverages shall carry the following declaration, in addition to the instructions for dilution, namely,— FLAVOUR EMULSION AND FLAVOUR PASTE FOR USE IN CARBONATED OR NON-CARBONATED BEVERAGES ONLY
36. Every package of drinking water shall carry the following declaration in capital letters having the size of each letter as prescribed in Regulation 2.3.3 ; PACKAGED DRINKING WATER One time usable plastic bottles of packaged drinking water shall carry the following declaration. CRUSH THE BOTTLE AFTER USE
37. Every package of mineral water shall carry the following declaration in capital letters having the size of each letter as prescribed in regulation 2.3.3 ; NATURAL MINERAL WATER One time usable plastic bottles of mineral water shall carry the following declaration. CRUSH THE BOTTLE AFTER USE
38. Every package of food having added caffeine, shall carry the following label, namely,— “CONTAINS CAFFEINE”
    Provided if caffeine is added in the products, it shall be declared on the body of the Container/bottle
    Provided also that in case of returnable glass bottles, which are recycled for refilling the declaration of caffeine, may be given on the crown.
39. Every package of Low Fat Paneer/ Chhana shall carry the following label, namely,— LOW FAT PANEER / CHHANA
40. Every package of Cheese(s), if coated/packed in food grade waxes polyfilm/wrapping of cloth, shall bear the following label, namely,— REMOVE THE OUTER PACKING BEFORE CONSUMPTION
41. Every package of Frozen Desert / Frozen Confection shall bear the following label, namely,— Frozen Desserts / Frozen Confection Contain ………………. Milk Fat* / Edible Vegetable Oil* / and Vegetable Fat* *strike out whatever is not applicable
42. Every container or package of common salt shall bear the following label, namely,— COMMON SALT FOR IODISATION* / IRON FORTIFICATION* /ANIMAL USE* / PRESERVATION / MEDICINE*/ INDUSTRIAL USE* *strike out whichever is not applicable.
43. Every package of biscuits, bread and cakes containing Oligofructose shall bear the following declaration, namely,– Contains Oligofructose (dietary fiber) —— gm/100 gm
44. Every package of fresh fruit if coated with wax shall carry the following label, namely,— Coated with wax (give name of wax)
45. Gelatin meant for human consumption should be labeled as “Gelatin Food Grade”
46. Every package of food containing Polyols shall bear the following label,- Polyols may have laxative effects
47. Every package of food containing Polydextrose shall bear the following label:- Polydextrose may have laxative effects