This document discusses food labelling laws and regulations in India. It provides an overview of the need for proper food labelling to address issues like credence attributes that consumers cannot determine prior to purchase. It outlines the key laws governing food labelling in India, including the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. The document explains what information must be included on food labels according to Indian regulations and exemptions for certain food categories. It also discusses labelling requirements for foods containing genetically modified content.

1. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
FOOD LABELLING LAWS IN
INDIA
P.ILANANGAI
IP CONSULTANT
PATENT DEPARTMENT

2. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
• Food labelling is a
• tool to promote and protect public health by
providing accurate nutritional information.
• an instrument of marketing and product
promotion.
• label can reduce the information problem
between producers and consumers, while also
reducing search costs for consumers.
INTRODUCTION

3. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
• The growing market for packaged food
provides both opportunities and challenges to
food processors, importers, food packagers,
and labelers to respond to consumers’
requirements.
• Innovations in food product development,
packaging, and labelling are becoming key
factors for survival across the world.
• Therefore, product packaging and labelling
have numerous important roles to play in the
emerging market environment.

4. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
• Labelling is any written, electronic, or graphic
communications on the packaging. A panel found on
a package of food which contains a variety of
information about the nutritional value of the food
item.
• OBJECTIVE OF LABELLING
• Brand Identification
• Description
• Promotion
LABELLING

5. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
• Consumers often compare prices of food items in the
grocery store to choose the best value for money. But
comparing items using the food label can help us
choose the best value for our health.
• For example, someone with high blood pressure who
needs to watch salt (sodium) intake may have a
choice of five different types of tomato soup on the
rack. One can quickly and easily compare the sodium
content of each product by looking at the part of the
label that lists nutrition information to choose the one
with the lowest sodium content.
WHY FOOD LABELS ARE IMPORTANT FOR
CONSUMERS?

6. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
• A food product constitutes a bundle of attributes that serve as
critical indicators for analyzing food quality and safety:
• Search attributes are those for which consumer can obtain
full information about the product prior to purchase (color,
size, shape);
• Experience attributes are those product characteristics that
can only be determined after consumption (taste, flavor);
and
• Credence attributes are product characteristics that can be
known only after a long lag; some credence attributes are
hazards that cannot be determined with certainty (nutrition,
pesticide residues, calorie).
contd..
THE NEED

7. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
• It is quite evident that most of the quality properties
of food products are credence characteristics, with
effects that cannot be inferred before, or sometimes
even after, consumption; these necessitate mandatory
food safety regulations to alleviate risks and hazards.
• One of the most practical methods for addressing
credence problems is proper food labelling coupled
with an effective institutional arrangement for
implementation and certification of food safety
processes.

8. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
• To meet a country’s sanitary requirements, food must comply
with the local laws and regulations to gain market access. These
laws ensure the safety and suitability of food for consumers and
also govern food quality and composition standards.
• The disclosure of information on food labels in India is primarily
governed by the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act of 1954,
which focuses mainly on basic product information with less
emphasis on health and nutritional information.
• Recent amendments regarding packaging and labelling of food
under part VII of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules of
1955 mandate the disclosure of health and nutritional claims on
food labels along with basic information.
contd..
FOOD LAWS AND REGULATIONS

9. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
• The Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) of 2006 aims at
establishing a single reference point for all matters relating to
food safety across the country, by moving from multilevel, multi
departmental control to a single line of command.
• The Act develop science based standards for food and to
regulate and monitor the manufacture, processing, storage,
distribution, sale and import of food so as to ensure the
availability of safe and wholesome food for human
consumption.
• All food imports will therefore be subject to the provisions of
the Act and any rules and regulations made under the Act.
• Chapter IV, paragraph 23 of the FSSA clearly states that no
person shall manufacture, distribute, sell, or expose for sale, nor
dispatch or deliver to any agent or broker for the purpose of sale,
any packaged food product that is not marked and labeled in the
manner specified by regulation.

10. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
FOOD SAFETY AND STANDARDS (PACKAGING
AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS, 2011
• General Requirements:
1. Every pre-packaged food shall carry a label
containing information.
2. The particulars of declaration required under these
Regulations to be specified on the label shall be in English
or Hindi
3. Pre-packaged food shall not be described or presented on
any label or in any labelling manner that is false,
misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous
impression regarding its character in any respect;
4. Label in pre-packaged foods shall be applied in such a
manner that they will not become separated from the
container.

11. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
• As per the Indian Regulations a food label must have
1. Product name and category of food
2. An ingredient list in descending order of weight
3. Logo for Vegetarian / Non Vegetarian Food
4. Nutrition facts panel or information which includes energy,
protein, carbohydrate (sugars) & fat
5. The shelf life (Use by or Best before date)
6. Storage conditions
7. The name & address of the manufacturer, packer and / or seller
8. The country of origin (in case of imported foods)
9. The weight
10.Instructions for use.
contd..
WHAT SHOULD THE CONSUMER SEE IN A
FOOD LABEL?

12. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
• Health claims establish a relationship between a food
& disease or medical condition.
• For example claims like ‘Good for Heart’, ‘Good for
Growing Children’ etc.
• Nutritional claims quickly inform a consumer of
nutritional value of a product for example ‘Low Fat’ or
‘Zero Cholesterol’.

13. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
• For example, foods served in hotels, hospitals, by
vendors like halwaiis etc.
• Other food products include raw agricultural
commodities like rice, wheat, cereals, sugar, salt, non-
nutritive products like tea, coffee, spices, processed
and pre-packaged assorted vegetables and fruits,
products that comprise single ingredients like papad,
pickle.
CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF FOOD ARE EXEMPTED FROM
THE LABELLING REQUIREMENTS

14. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
• On January 1 2013, India joined a select band of
countries where food containing genetically modified
(GM) content must be labelled as such. The Legal
Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, say
"every package containing the genetically modified
food shall bear at the top of its principal display panel
the letters 'GM'."
LABELLING OF FOOD CONTAINING GENETICALLY
MODIFIED (GM) CONTENT

15. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
Nestle
• Nestle in the dock for 17-year-old complaint on
flouting infant formula labelling laws
• Nestle has been charged by a trial court in Delhi for
allegedly violating infant formula labelling laws, a
charge the dairy giant denies.

16. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
CONCLUSION
• Thanks to the food labelling regulations, consumers
can now make a wise decision and choice before
buying processed food products off the shelf and feel
Safe than Sorry.
• On October 13, 2011, the Food Safety and Standards
Authority of India (FSSAI) published “ad-hoc
guidelines related to imported food clearance process
by FSSAI s Authorized Officers.”‟
• Furthermore, the Food Safety and Standards
(packaging and labelling) Regulations, 2011 stated
that, wholesale packages are no longer exempted from
labelling requirements.

17. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
BB1, Park Avenue,
# 48, Race Course Road,
Coimbatore - 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 – 6552921
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
THANK YOU