Food Labelling and Display Regulations
FSSAI sets strict requirements for what must appear on packaged food labels and how licences must be displayed at food business premises. Here is a practical breakdown.
FSSAI labelling rules govern what must appear on a packaged food product, and separate display rules govern how a food business must show its licence at the premises. Both are commonly overlooked areas that surface during inspections.
Key facts at a glance
- Packaged food labels must generally show product name, ingredients, net quantity, manufacturer details, batch number, dates, and FSSAI licence number.
- Allergen declarations are required where applicable to the product category.
- Food businesses must generally display their FSSAI licence/registration number at the premises.
- Health and nutrition claims on labels must be substantiated and are subject to FSSAI regulation.
- Labelling requirements apply regardless of sales channel, including e-commerce and delivery platforms.
- "Best before" and "expiry date" are distinct terms with different regulatory meaning depending on product category.
- Enforcement is carried out by FSSAI and state-level food safety officers through inspections.
Why Labelling Compliance Matters
Labelling is one of the most visible and easily checked aspects of FSSAI compliance - a missing or incorrect label can be flagged instantly during an inspection, unlike hygiene practices that require observation over time. It is also directly consumer-facing: incorrect or misleading labels are a common trigger for complaints, which in turn can escalate a business into a higher inspection risk category under the current risk-based inspection model.
What a Packaged Food Label Must Show
| Element | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Product name | Clear, accurate description of the food item |
| List of ingredients | In descending order of composition, as applicable |
| Net quantity | Weight, volume or count, as applicable to the product |
| Manufacturer/packer details | Name and address of the entity responsible |
| Batch/lot number | For traceability purposes |
| Date of manufacture | When the product was made or packed |
| Best-before/expiry date | Depending on product category |
| FSSAI licence number | The licence number of the manufacturer or packer |
| Nutritional information | Where applicable to the product category |
| Allergen declaration | Where the product contains common allergens |
Exact requirements can vary somewhat by product category, so businesses in specialised categories (infant food, health supplements, etc.) should check category-specific FSSAI labelling rules.
Display Requirements at the Premises
Separate from packaging labels, food businesses are generally expected to display their FSSAI licence or registration number visibly at their premises - this is one of the first things checked during any inspection, routine or complaint-triggered. Many restaurants also include the licence number on menus as a matter of good practice, even where not strictly separately mandated, since it signals compliance readiness to both customers and inspectors.
Claims and Marketing Language
Terms like "natural," "healthy," "organic" or specific health claims are not free-form marketing choices under FSSAI rules - they are subject to substantiation requirements. Using such claims without the backing required by regulation is a labelling violation, not just a marketing risk. Businesses should be cautious about claims that go beyond what their product formulation and testing can support.
Labelling for Delivery and Online Sales
Because delivery-only and cloud kitchen models package food that customers never see in a store setting, it can be tempting to treat packaging labelling as less important. FSSAI requirements apply the same way regardless of sales channel - a product sold exclusively through a delivery app still needs to meet the same labelling standards as one sold over a counter.
A Practical Labelling Checklist
- Confirm your product category's specific labelling requirements beyond the general list above.
- Verify allergen declarations are accurate and complete for your recipe.
- Ensure FSSAI licence number appears correctly on both packaging and at the premises.
- Review any health or nutrition claims for substantiation before printing packaging.
- Update labels whenever your licence category or number changes.
If you want to check whether your food business's labelling and display practices currently meet FSSAI requirements, ComplianceCheck's Food Business Assessment gives you a clear picture in a few minutes.
Sources
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India - fssai.gov.in
- FSSAI Labelling and Display Regulations - fssai.gov.in/regulations
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare - mohfw.gov.in
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Requirements vary by state, sector and headcount - confirm specifics with a compliance professional or the relevant authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What information must appear on a packaged food label in India?
- FSSAI generally requires the product name, list of ingredients, net quantity, manufacturer or packer details, batch number, date of manufacture and best-before or expiry date, FSSAI licence number, and nutritional information where applicable.
- Do restaurants need to display their FSSAI licence number?
- Yes, food businesses are generally required to display their FSSAI licence or registration number at the premises and often on menus or packaging, as part of standard FSSAI display requirements.
- Are allergen declarations mandatory on food labels?
- FSSAI labelling regulations require declaration of common allergens where present in the product; check the current list of mandatory allergen declarations applicable to your product category.
- What is the difference between 'best before' and 'expiry date' on food labels?
- 'Best before' indicates the period during which the product retains its expected quality, while 'expiry date' indicates the date after which the product should not be consumed at all; the correct term to use depends on the product category under FSSAI rules.
- Do FSSAI labelling rules apply to food sold online or through delivery apps?
- Yes, labelling and display requirements apply to packaged food regardless of the sales channel, including food sold through e-commerce or delivery platforms.
- Can a food business use imprecise health claims like 'natural' or 'healthy' freely?
- No, health and nutrition claims on food labels are subject to FSSAI regulation and must be substantiated; unqualified or misleading claims can attract regulatory action.
- Who enforces food labelling compliance?
- FSSAI and its state-level food safety officers enforce labelling compliance through inspections and can act against packaging that omits mandatory information or makes unsubstantiated claims.
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