FSSAI Food Labelling Regulations: Expert Compliance & Label Audit
Every packaged food product sold in India must carry labels that precisely meet the requirements of the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. A non-compliant label is not just a print error — it is a regulatory violation that can trigger product recalls, penalty notices, and distribution blocks.
Label Compliance Review
We cross-reference every label element against the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 — FSSAI licence number, veg/non-veg logo, allergen declarations, ingredient order.
Nutritional & Health Claims
Health claims, nutritional claims, and category-specific declarations for dairy, nutraceuticals, and spice brands are reviewed against Schedule III and IV of the FSS Regulations.
Import & Export Label Review
For importers and exporters: we review FSSAI compliance alongside destination-market requirements (GCC, EU, US) to prevent import holds at foreign ports.
What Are FSSAI Food Labelling Regulations and Who Do They Apply To?
FSSAI food labelling regulations are the mandatory disclosure, formatting, and declaration standards that every licensed food business operator must meet before placing any packaged food product into the Indian market.
These requirements are governed by the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, issued under Section 23 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The regulations specify exactly what must appear on every label — from nutritional information, ingredient lists, and allergen declarations, to the FSSAI licence number and veg/non-veg logo. The FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 replaced the earlier Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 and significantly expanded the scope of mandatory declarations required on packaged food.
Compliance is not discretionary. Every packaged food product on an Indian retail shelf, online marketplace, or export consignment must carry a compliant label before it is placed into any distribution channel. Whether your products are reviewed during an FSSAI inspection, a major retailer's supplier audit, or an international buyer's quality check, the accuracy of your labelling determines the outcome.
It is also important to understand that your FSSAI Central or State Licence is the legal permission to operate as a food business — but it does not automatically mean your labels are compliant. Licencing and labelling are two separate compliance obligations, and errors in labelling remain the most common cause of penalty notices issued to licensed food businesses in India.
Is FSSAI Packaging and Labelling Compliance Mandatory for Your Business?
FSSAI packaging and labelling compliance is mandatory for every food business that manufactures, packages, imports, or distributes any food product under a commercial name or brand — regardless of the scale of the operation or the number of SKUs involved.
Any business that has invested in developing a brand identity for its food product range should ensure that brand identity is legally protected before packaging goes to market. Trademark Registration is typically initiated alongside or immediately after label compliance is confirmed — because a compliant label carrying an unregistered brand remains commercially vulnerable.
What Are the Consequences of Non-Compliant FSSAI Food Labelling?
Under Section 53 of the FSS Act, 2006, misleading health or nutritional claims on packaging attract:
₹10 Lakh
Penalty — with misbranding under Section 52 attracting ₹3 lakh, and sub-standard labelling under Section 51 attracting ₹5 lakh
Product Recall Risk
A non-compliant label can trigger an FSSAI recall notice, requiring physical withdrawal of all distributed stock from retail, distribution, and e-commerce channels simultaneously.
Elevated Regulatory Scrutiny
A labelling violation identified during an FSSAI inspection places the entire licensed facility under elevated scrutiny — subsequent inspections arrive more frequently, and rectification costs increase with each day of delay.
These consequences are entirely preventable. We've helped 4500+ businesses across Gujarat and India protect their products, their licences, and their distribution networks — without disruption.
How We Handle Your FSSAI Labelling Compliance — Step by Step
End-to-end. No confusion, no surprises.
Compliance Assessment
We begin with a detailed review of your current labels and complete product range. Our team identifies your applicable product category under the FSS Regulations, the specific mandatory declarations your product type requires, the nature of any nutritional or health claims you are currently making, and whether your existing label artwork meets the 2020 Regulations. You won't have to figure out which declaration requirements apply to your product — we identify every gap, every inconsistency, and every regulatory exposure from the first review.
Label and Documentation Review
We collect your current label artwork files, product formulation and ingredient specification sheets, nutritional analysis reports from an FSSAI-notified laboratory where applicable, and your FSSAI licence certificate. Every element of each label is then cross-referenced against the mandatory checklist under the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 — including FSSAI licence number placement, veg/non-veg logo standards, ingredient listing order by weight, allergen declaration requirements, and the correct nutritional information format per 100g or 100ml and per serving.
Correction and Compliance Drafting
Where gaps, errors, or missing declarations are identified, we produce a precise correction brief for your packaging team or label designer. We specify exact placement requirements, mandatory text standards, required logo specifications, and any category-specific declarations that apply to your product line. No label goes forward until every correction has been verified against the current regulatory standard.
Regulatory Validation and Documentation
We prepare a labelling compliance summary document for your business records, confirming that your labels meet the requirements of the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 and are suitable for retail distribution, online sale, and export. This documentation is also useful during FSSAI inspections and during ISO 22000 or ISO 9001 certification audits.
Ongoing Labelling Compliance
COMPLETEFSSAI labelling regulations are subject to ongoing updates — including Front of Pack Labelling (FOPL) requirements currently under active FSSAI consultation — and any product reformulation, packaging redesign, or new SKU launch requires a fresh review before going to print. Every document is reviewed before it reaches the printer. You'll always know the status of your compliance check and exactly what needs to be resolved before production proceeds.
Common Documents Required for FSSAI Labelling Compliance
The exact documents required depend on your business type, size, product category, and operational structure. Below are documents commonly required for most businesses.
Current Label Artwork Files
Printed packaging samples or artwork files for all product SKUs under review.
Product Formulation / Ingredient Sheet
Ingredient specification or formulation sheet confirming actual composition in descending order of weight.
FSSAI Licence Certificate
Required to verify the licence number currently displayed on your labels.
Nutritional Analysis Test Reports
Required for products making nutritional claims, from an FSSAI-notified food testing laboratory.
Import Label Documents
For food importers: original foreign-language label, English translation, and FSSAI importer registration details.
Previous FSSAI Correspondence
Any existing FSSAI inspection notices or labelling-related objections — these require priority resolution before new labels are approved.
Every business has a different document requirement.
Your exact checklist is confirmed during the first assessment call — no guesswork.
Frequently Asked Questions About FSSAI Food Labelling Regulations
8 questions our clients ask the most — answered precisely.
Clients Who Get FSSAI Labelling Compliance Also Need
Most food brands have at least one of these parallel obligations.
FSSAI License New Application
Your FSSAI licence number is a mandatory declaration on every product label — making your licence the essential first compliance obligation before label approval can be certified.
Trademark Registration
Every label carries your brand name, logo, and product identity — intellectual property that requires formal legal protection before your product enters national retail distribution or e-commerce channels.
ISO Certification
ISO 22000 food safety certification requires your labelling systems, product standards, and declaration processes to be fully documented and audit-ready — a natural next step for manufacturers targeting export buyers.
Ready to Get Your FSSAI Labelling Compliance Handled the Right Way?
If you have researched FSSAI food labelling regulations and need clarity on whether your current labels are fully compliant — or if you have a label ready for review before it goes to print — you are at the right step. Our FSSAI packaging consultants in Ahmedabad and across India have reviewed labels for 4500+ food businesses, spanning single-product startups to multi-SKU export manufacturers.
Labelling compliance is not something to defer: every day a non-compliant product remains in distribution carries penalty exposure and recall risk. We guide you at every step — from the first label file to final regulatory clearance — so your products reach market correctly, the first time.
Senior consultant responds personally · Mon–Sun, 10 AM – 10 PM · 1111, 11th Floor, Ratnakar Nine Square, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad – 380015
Divya Consultancy is a private business providing professional consultancy services. We are not affiliated with the FSSAI, the Government of India, or any government authority. We charge professional fees in addition to any applicable government fees.