For food manufacturers, sellers, home-based food businesses, restaurants, and packaged-food brands, proper labelling is an important part of FSSAI compliance. A food label is not simply a marketing tool—it provides consumers with essential information about the product and helps businesses meet regulatory requirements. The applicable framework is primarily the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, along with subsequent amendments. FSSAI’s official website lists amendments through 24 March 2026, so businesses should ensure that their labels are reviewed against the latest applicable requirements.
What Are FSSAI Labelling Rules?
FSSAI labelling regulations prescribe requirements for pre-packaged food and the display of essential information by food businesses. The rules are intended to ensure that consumers receive accurate and relevant information before purchasing food products. For food businesses, this means that product packaging should not contain misleading information and should carry the declarations required for the particular food category.
Key Information Food Businesses Should Check
Before printing or using food packaging, manufacturers and sellers should review the applicable requirements relating to:
1. Name of the Food
The label should clearly identify the nature or true name of the food product so consumers can understand what they are purchasing.
2. List of Ingredients
Where applicable, ingredients should be declared according to the prescribed requirements. Businesses should pay particular attention to ingredients that require specific declaration or allergen information.
3. Nutritional Information
Applicable packaged foods may need to provide nutritional information in the prescribed format. Businesses should ensure that the information is accurate and supported by appropriate product data.
4. Allergen Declaration
Where applicable, allergens need to be identified in accordance with the prescribed requirements. This is particularly important for products containing ingredients such as cereals containing gluten, nuts, milk, soy, or other regulated allergens.
5. Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian Declaration
Applicable food products must carry the prescribed vegetarian/non-vegetarian symbol and related declaration requirements.
6. FSSAI Logo and Licence/Registration Details
Food businesses should check that the applicable FSSAI logo and licence/registration number are correctly displayed on the label as prescribed.
7. Net Quantity
The package should declare the net quantity of the food in accordance with applicable requirements.
8. Date Marking
Businesses should correctly declare applicable date information, such as date of manufacture/packaging, expiry/use-by or best-before, depending on the product and applicable rules.
9. Batch or Lot Number
Applicable packaged food products generally need appropriate identification such as a batch, lot, or code number to support traceability.
10. Manufacturer or Packer Details
The applicable name and complete address/details of the manufacturer, packer, marketer, importer, or other responsible entity should be checked against the relevant requirements.
2026 Update: Coffee-Chicory Labelling Requirement
One important recent development concerns coffee-chicory mixtures. The FSSAI’s 2025 First Amendment to the Labelling and Display Regulations came into force on 1 July 2026. Packages containing coffee-chicory mixtures must display the prescribed declaration on the front of the package, including the percentage of coffee and chicory. Instant coffee-chicory mixtures have a corresponding front-of-pack declaration. This is a good example of why food businesses should periodically review existing packaging instead of assuming that an old label remains compliant. FSSAI also issued a direction concerning these requirements on 22 July 2026, showing that the subject remains an active compliance area.
What About Online Food Sellers?
Food businesses selling through websites, marketplaces, or other digital channels should also ensure that the information presented to consumers is consistent with applicable food-labelling requirements.
The information shown online should not contradict the information provided on the physical product packaging.
This is particularly important for businesses selling:
Packaged snacks
Homemade food products
Pickles and spices
Bakery products
Beverages
Health and nutrition products
Ready-to-eat foods
Packaged sweets
Food products through e-commerce platforms
Common FSSAI Labelling Mistakes to Avoid
Food businesses should be careful about common errors such as:
❌ Missing or incorrect FSSAI licence/registration details
❌ Incorrect ingredient declarations
❌ Incomplete allergen information
❌ Incorrect nutritional information
❌ Missing batch or date information
❌ Incorrect net quantity
❌ Misleading health or nutritional claims
❌ Using outdated packaging after a regulatory change
❌ Incorrect vegetarian/non-vegetarian declaration
❌ Inconsistent information between online listings and physical packaging
Why Proper Labelling Matters
Correct labelling can help a food business:
Improve consumer transparency
Demonstrate regulatory compliance
Build customer confidence
Support product traceability
Reduce the risk of regulatory issues
Present a more professional brand image
For businesses launching a new product, label compliance should be checked before large-scale packaging is printed.
How Businesses Can Stay Compliant
A practical approach is to conduct a label review whenever:
A new food product is launched.
The ingredients are changed.
Packaging is redesigned.
A new claim is added to the product.
The FSSAI licence or business details change.
FSSAI introduces or amends a relevant requirement.
Businesses should also regularly monitor FSSAI notifications and amendments. FSSAI’s official regulations page currently lists the Labelling and Display Regulations along with their amendments and related regulatory documents.
How BusinessRights Can Help
At BusinessRights we assist businesses with various registrations and compliance requirements.
Our services include:
FSSAI Registration
FSSAI Licence Assistance
FSSAI Renewal
Food Business Compliance
Documentation Support
GST Registration
Company Registration
MSME/Udyam Registration
Trademark Registration
Income Tax & Business Compliance
If you are launching a packaged food product or want to review your existing food-business compliance, professional assistance can help you identify potential issues before they become costly problems.
Conclusion
FSSAI labelling is an important responsibility for food manufacturers and sellers. A compliant label helps consumers understand what they are buying while supporting the food business’s regulatory obligations. With regulatory changes continuing to take effect, businesses should not rely on old packaging designs or outdated labelling practices. The recent coffee-chicory requirement effective from July 2026 is one example of why regular compliance reviews are important. Review your food labels, check the latest applicable FSSAI requirements, and keep your business compliant.
Disclaimer: FSSAI labelling requirements can vary according to the type, composition, packaging, claims, and category of food product. This article is for general informational purposes and should not be treated as legal or regulatory advice. Businesses should verify the requirements applicable to their specific products and the latest FSSAI notifications before printing labels.