The document outlines the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, detailing requirements for food labelling in India, including mandatory information to be displayed on pre-packaged foods. It emphasizes the importance of accurate labeling for consumer safety, trust, and compliance with legal standards, such as nutritional information, allergen declarations, and manufacturer details. Additionally, it highlights Equinox Labs' role as a prominent food safety auditing and testing laboratory with extensive experience and training initiatives in the industry.

1. FOOD SAFETY AND
STANDARDS
(LABELLING AND DISPLAY)
REGULATIONS, 2020

2. www.equinoxlab.com
2
Meet Equinox Labs
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About Us
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3. About the Speaker
Ashwin Bhadri, CEO - Equinox Labs
● National Resource Person - FSSAI
● International Speaker on Food Safety
● Works closely with FSSAI initiatives
- SNF @ Workplace
- FoSTaC
- Eat Right India
- ITCFSAN
- Hygiene Rating among others
● Author of
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● Personal advisor to over 500 companies on
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- Critical Infrastructure

4. FOOD LABELLING
As per section FSS act, 2006, 3(z) “label” means
any tag, brand, mark, pictorial or other
descriptive matter, written, printed, stenciled,
marked, embossed, graphic, perforated,
stamped or impressed on or attached to
container, cover, lid or crown of any food
package and includes a product insert.

5. Required by Law -
Section 11, Schedule 4
Part II
01
Improving your future
business
03 Gaining Consumer
Trust
04
To inform the
consumer 02
Information on pre
packaged food 05
From FBOs’ perspective -
Traceability & Recall
Purposes
06
PURPOSE OF FOOD LABELLING

6. LABELLING
REGULATIONS IN
FSSAI
Food Safety And Standards
(Packaging And Labelling)
Regulations, 2011
Legal Metrology (Packaged
Commodities) Rules, 2011

7. ● Mode of communicating with each and
every consumer
● Responsibility of every Food Business
Operators
● Brand Identification
● Price comparison to choose the best value
for money and health
IMPORTANCE OF A
LABEL

8. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Every pre-packaged food shall carry a label -
● The information on the label shall be in English or Hindi in
Devnagri script. Any other language in addition may be used.
● The information shall not be false, misleading or deceptive.
● The label shall be applied on the container in such a way that
it is not separated from the container.

9. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Every pre-packaged food shall carry a label -
● Where the container is covered by a wrapper, the wrapper
shall carry the necessary information.
● Contents of the label shall be clear, prominent, indelible and
readily legible by the consumer.
● The regulation prescribes the minimum area of the container
to be covered by the Principal Display Panel.

10. LABELLING REQUIREMENTS -
PRE-PACKED FOODS
Product Name
Ingredient List (Not required
in case of single ingredient)
Allergen List/Declaration Manufacturer’s Address
Importer’s Address (If any)
Date Markings - Date of
Manufacture & Best Before
Batch No. Net Weight
MRP Nutritional Information FSSAI License Logo Veg/Non Veg Symbol
Instructions for Use Storage Instructions
Any specific warnings (Eg. in
case of energy drinks or
supplements)
Consumer Care Details
Country of Origin (In case
of Importer)

11. NAME OF THE FOOD
Trade name or
description of food
contained in the
package.
Name of the
Food

12. INGREDIENT LIST
The name of Ingredients used in the product shall be listed in
descending order of their composition by weight or volume, as the
case may be, at the time of its manufacture; except for single
ingredient foods, for eg, Chilli powder, Moong dal, etc.
❏ Compound ingredients shall be declared in the list of
ingredients, and shall be accompanied by a list, in brackets, of
its ingredients in descending order of weight or volume;
❏ package of food sold as a mixture or combination shall disclose
the percentage of the ingredient used at the time of the
manufacture of the food

13. INGREDIENT LIST
Ingredients used in the
product shall be listed in
descending order of their
composition by weight or
volume, as the case may
be at the time of its
manufacture.

14. NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Nutritional Information per 100 g or 100 ml or per single
consumption pack of the product and per serve percentage (%)
contribution to Recommended Dietary Allowance calculated on
the basis of 2,000 kcal energy, 67 g total fat, 22 g saturated fat, 2
g trans-fat, 50 g added sugar and 2000 mg of sodium (5 g salt)
requirement for average adult per day, shall be given on the label
containing the following:
❏ Energy value (kcal);
❏ The amounts of
❏ Protein (g);
❏ Carbohydrate (g) and Total Sugars (g), added sugars (g);
❏ Total fat (g), saturated fat (g), trans-fat (other than naturally
occurring trans-fat) (g) and cholesterol (mg);
❏ Sodium (mg)

15. NAME OF THE FOOD
Nutritional information is not required:
In case of foods such as raw agricultural commodities, non –nutritive products, like, soluble tea,
coffee, soluble coffee, coffee-chicory mixture, packaged drinking water, packaged mineral water,
alcoholic beverages or fruit and vegetables, processed and pre- packaged assorted vegetables, fruits,
vegetables and products that comprise of single ingredient such as pickles, papad, or foods served
for immediate consumption such as served in hospitals, hotels or by food services vendors or
halwais, or food shipped in bulk which is not for sale in that form to consumers.

16. NAME OF THE FOOD
Every package of edible oils, interesterified vegetable fat, both hydrogenated or partially
hydrogenated oils, edible fats, margarine and fat spreads (mixed fat spread and vegetable fat spread)
and package of food in which fats, oils and fat emulsions is used as an ingredient shall declare the
quantity of trans fat content and saturated fat content on the label.

17. VEG/NON-VEG LOGO
(i) on the package having
contrast background on
principal display panel
(ii) just close in proximity to
the name or brand name of
the product
(iii) on the labels,
containers, pamphlets,
leaflets, advertisements in
any media
The symbol shall be prominently displayed
Provided also that the provisions of regulation 2.2.2(4) shall not apply in respect of mineral water or
packaged drinking water or carbonated water or alcoholic drinks, or liquid milk and milk powders.

18. VEG/NON-VEG LOGO
Where any article of food
contains egg only as a non
veg ingredient, the
manufacturer, or packer or
seller shall give declaration
of this effect in additional to
the said symbol.
For veg the symbol shall
consist of a green colour
filled circle inside a square
with green outline having
the diameter not less than
the minimum size specified
in the table.
For non veg the symbol shall
consist of a brown colour
filled triangle inside a square
with brown outline having
the sides not less than the
minimum size specified in
the table.

19. Area of the display
panel in cm. square
Minimum size of
diameters of circle
in mm
Minimum size of
each side of
triangle in mm
Minimum size of
each side of square
in mm
Up to 100 sq. cm 3 mm 2.5 mm 6 mm
Above 100 sq.cm -
up to 500 sq.cm
4 mm 3.5 mm 8 mm
Above 500 sq.cm -
up to 2500 sq.cm
6 mm 5 mm 12 mm
Above 2500 sq.cm 8 mm 7 mm 16 mm
VEG/NON-VEG DISPLAY
REQUIREMENTS
Veg Logo

20. DECLARATION REGARDING FOOD
ADDITIVES
Use International Numbering System (INS) for functional classes for food additives
Every flavouring agent as per the Regulation 3.3.1(1) of FSSA, shall be declared in the list of
ingredients

21. NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS
❏ The name and complete address of the brand owner, whether or not, he himself is the
manufacturer, marketer, packer or bottler, as the case may be, shall be declared on the label.
Such name and address shall be preceded by the qualifying words “Manufactured by (Mfg by,
Mfd by)” or “Marketed by (Mkt by)” or “Manufactured & Marketed by” or “Packed &
Marketed by” as the case may be.
In case of alcoholic beverages,“Bottled by” or “Blended and Bottled by” or “Imported and Bottled
by” Or “distilled and bottled by” may also be declared on label.
❏ Where an article of food is imported into India, the package of food shall also carry the name
and complete address of the importer in India.
Provided further that where any food article manufactured outside India is packaged or bottled in
India, the package containing such food article shall also bear on the label, the name of the country
of origin of the food article and the name and complete address of the importer and the premises of
packing or bottling in India.

22. NAME AND ADDRESS
“Manufactured &
Marketed by” or “Packed
& Marketed by” or
“Bottled by” or “Imported
and Bottled by”

23. FSSAI LOGO AND LICENSE
NUMBER
FSSAI logo and license number under the Act
shall be displayed on the label of the food
package in contrast color to the background.
The Height of the numeral of the FSSAI license
number depends on the net weight of the
product.
Up to 50g/ml
Above 50g/ml - 200g/ml
Above 200g/ml - 1kg/l
Above 1kg/l
NET WEIGHT
1 mm
2 mm
4 mm
6 mm
DIMENSIONS
FSSAI Logo and License
Number

24. NET QUANTITY
Net quantity by weight or volume or number, as the case may be, shall be declared on every package
of food
*Note: Always check the LM act for the standard weights and measures
Net Weight / Net Quantity

25. BATCH/LOT/CODE NUMBER
A mark of identification by which the food can be traced in the manufacture and identified in the
distribution, shall be given on the label.
MANUFACTURING/PACKAGING DATE
The date, month and year in which the commodity is manufactured, packed or pre-packed, shall be
given on the label:
❏ If less than 3 months of shelf life: DD/MM/YY
❏ If more than 3 months of shelf life: MM/YY

26. BEST BEFORE DATE
Provided further that the declaration of best before date for consumption shall not be applicable to
(i) wines and liquors
(ii) alcoholic beverages containing 10 percent or more by volume of alcohol
Provided further that above provisions except net weight/net content, nutritional information,
manufacturer’s name and address, date of manufacture and “best before” shall not apply in respect
of carbonated water (plain soda and potable water impregnated with carbon dioxide under
pressure) packed in returnable glass bottles

27. EXAMPLE
MRP (Incl of all taxes), Manufacturing
date/Packaging date,Use by/Expiry/Best
before, Batch No
Eg:
Date of Manufacture: MAR / 21
Use by Date: JUN / 21
Shelf life less than 3 months shall be in
DD/MM/YY format

28. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
The country of origin of the food shall
be declared on the label of food
imported into India.
When a food undergoes processing in
a second country which changes its
nature, the country in which the
processing is performed shall be
considered to be the country of origin
for the purposes of labelling.
Country of Origin for Imported
Products

29. INSTRUCTIONS OF
USE
Instructions for use, including
reconstitution, where applicable, shall be
included on the label, if necessary, to ensure
correct utilization of the food.

30. DECLARATION REGARDING ALLERGENS
Kindly note the following foods and ingredients which are known to cause allergy shall be declared
separately as contains............................ (Name of allergy causing ingredients)
(i) Cereals containing gluten; i.e., wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt or their hybridized strains and
products of these (To be declared as name of the cereal);
(ii) Crustacean and their products (To be declared as Crustacean);
(iii) Milk & Milk products (To be declared as Milk);
(iv) Eggs and egg products (To be declared as Egg);
(v) Fish and fish products (To be declared as Fish);
(vi) Peanuts, tree nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts, pistachio, cashew nuts) and their products (To be
declared as Nut);
(vii) Soybeans and their products (To be declared as Soy);
(viii) Sulphite in concentrations of 10 mg/kg or more (To be declared as sulphite)

31. DECLARATION REGARDING ALLERGENS
Provided that in case presence of ingredients due to cross contamination which are known to cause
allergy may be declared separately as May Contains.......................... (Name of allergy causing
ingredients).Provided further that this declaration is not required in case of oils derived from these
ingredients.”
Raw agricultural commodities are exempted from the allergen labelling requirements.
Allergen Declaration, Conditions
for Storage

32. HEIGHT OF NUMERALS
Kindly note the height of any numeral and letter required under these regulations, on the principal
display panel shall be as shown in table below.
Area of the display panel of the
label
(Length*Height)
Minimum height of numerals and
letters in mm in Normal Case
Minimum height of numerals and
letters in mm when blown, formed
moulded, or perforated on
container
Up to 100 cm2 1 mm 2 mm
Above 100 cm2 up to 500 cm2 2 mm 4 mm
Above 500 cm2 up to 2500 cm2 4 mm 6 mm
Above 2500 cm2 6 mm 8 mm

33. Area of the display panel of the label
(Length*Height)
Minimum height of numerals
Area is less than 50 sq.cm 1 mm
50 sq.cm - 100 sq.cm 1.5 mm
100 sq.cm - 500 sq.cm 2.5 mm
500 sq.cm - 2500 sq.cm 4 mm
Area above 2500 sq.cm 6 mm
HEIGHT OF NUMERALS
The height of the numeral and letter of declaration of net weight, retail sale price, date of expiry or
best before or the use by date (wherever and as applicable) and Consumer care depends on the
Principal Display Panel (PDP) of the product (As per new notification of Legal Metrology).

34. MANDATORY DECLARATIONS
- Wherever, packaged food contains ingredients and /or additives as stated in schedule -II
of these regulations, the same shall be prominently displayed on the label.
- The size of numerals and letters for the declarations/specific requirements specified in
schedule -II shall not be less than 3mm based on the letter l.
Kindly mention the declaration, “All images are for illustration purpose only”.
IN CASE OF ANY
PICTORIAL REPRESENTATIONS

35. EXAMPLE
The size of numerals and letters for
the declarations/specific
requirements specified in schedule
- II shall not be less than 3mm
based on the letter l.
Advertisement Claims
Images for illustration purpose only

36. RECTIFIABLE STICKERS
❏ Veg/non veg logo
❏ Importers name and address
❏ FSSAI license number and logo
❏ Category or Subcategory along with generic name, nature and composition for proprietary
food

37. OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY STANDARDS
❏ Food Safety and Standards (Food Import) Regulations, 2017
❏ Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals, Food for special
dietary use, Food for special medical purpose, Functional food and Novel food)
Regulations, 2016
❏ Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of foods) Regulations, 2018
❏ Food Safety and Standards (Organic foods) Regulations, 2017
❏ Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018
❏ Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018

38. THANK YOU

39. Connect with Equinox
Equinox Center
R65, Rabale MIDC,
Navi Mumbai 400701
www.equinoxlab.com
contact@equinoxlab.com
+91 7304512618
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