Government agencies across the globe have stringent regulatory policies for food packaging designs. Every time a new product is launched or the packaging is renewed, you have to make sure you adhere to packaging regulations.

In India, it’s the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that dictates food packaging norms. For example, when it comes to food labeling, the list of ingredients, nutritional information, an indication of non-vegetarian items, and so on, are required to be added in the packaging label by the FSSAI.

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But with so many rules in place, it’s often easy for errors to creep in. Mistakes in food labeling and packaging can delay a product’s launch, lead to recalls, and cost you a ton of money. How to make sure you avoid these pitfalls? How can you identify any packaging errors before your product hit the shelves? Let’s explore!

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Disclaimer: This blog post derives information from the FSSAI website is updated as of December, 2024. Do refer to the FSSAI website for final and updated information regarding regulations. Artwork Flow is a software designed to streamline compliance for brands, not a service providing legal or regulatory advice.

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What are FSSAI food labeling regulations?

FSSAI regulations are a comprehensive set of guidelines that all food product manufacturers and brands should follow. FSSAI imposes twelve primary labeling regulations for any food packaging. These are:

1. Name of the food

The food product must have its name clearly labeled. This helps the consumer identify the product. For example, "tomato ketchup" or "whole wheat bread." It must be descriptive and accurately represent the contents of the package.

2. The list of ingredients

All ingredients used in the food product must be listed in descending order of their weight or volume. Any allergens, such as nuts, gluten, or dairy, must be clearly identified.

3. Nutritional information

Nutritional information should be provided in a standardized format, including details on calories, total fat, protein, carbohydrates, sugars, fiber, and salt.

4. Declaration if the food product is vegetarian or not

Food labels must indicate whether the product is vegetarian or non-vegetarian with the right logos. This declaration should be prominently displayed, with a green dot indicating vegetarian products and a brown dot for non-vegetarian items.

5. Declaration of the food additives used

Any food additives, such as preservatives, colorants, or flavor enhancers, must be declared on the label.

6. Name and complete address of the manufacturer

The label must include the name and full contact details of the manufacturer, importer, or packer.

7. Customer care details

Brands must provide customer care contact details, including a phone number, email, or website, so consumers can reach out for assistance, feedback, or concerns about the product.

8. Net quantity

The net quantity of the food product, usually in weight or volume (e.g., 200 grams or 500 ml), must be clearly indicated.

9. Retail sale price

The price at which the food product is sold must be displayed on the packaging.

10. FSSAI logo and license number

The FSSAI logo, along with the license number, must be printed on all food packaging.

11. Batch identification number, the date of marketing, country of origin

The label should include a batch or lot number, which helps in tracking the product for quality control and recalls. Additionally, the date of marketing or manufacture, and the country of origin, should be listed. The country of origin is especially important for imported products, as it provides clarity about where the food comes from.

12. The instructions for use

If necessary, the label should provide clear instructions on how to use, store, or cook the product, ensuring that consumers can safely enjoy the food. This may include storage temperature, preparation steps, or safety precautions, such as “keep refrigerated” or “consume within three days of opening.”

13. Date marking

All food products must display an "Expiry Date" or "Use By" date to indicate when the product is no longer safe to consume. A "Best Before" date can also be included, showing when the product may lose quality but remains safe to eat.  

The FSSAI decides the content architecture and the placement of content – what goes on the front or back, the sizes of different texts, typefaces to be used, and the amount of area the information should cover on all food and beverage labeling.

Packaging artwork is covered too. For example, logos that indicate ingredients, radiation-processed foods, fortified and organic foods should match the exact dimensions and colors provided.

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The FSSAI decides the content architecture and the placement of content – what goes on the front or back, the sizes of different texts, typefaces to be used, and the amount of area the information should cover on all food and beverage labeling.

Packaging artwork is covered too. For example, logos that indicate ingredients, radiation-processed foods, fortified and organic foods should match the exact dimensions and colors provided.

Download now: The Essential Guide to AI-powered Label Compliance

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It’s essential to make a detailed note of these packaging regulations when designing product packages. However, several companies often miss out on certain aspects and fall into the disapproval zone.

Common mistakes that affect FSSAI approval

Here are some common mistakes that can hinder the FSSAI approval process:

1. Choosing the wrong font type and size

While you’re free to use any font for your logo or package name, FSSAI guidelines require you to use a predefined typeface and font dimensions when listing important information. Details about the product such as the list of ingredients, warnings, or nutritional information have to be mentioned using an FSSAI approved font for effective packaging management.

For instance, the FSSAI has directed that alcoholic beverage bottles above 200ml should display a warning in a font size of no less than 3mm. By choosing the right font and size, you can steer clear of any such hiccups.

2. Not adhering to logo dimensions or color

Logos specified by FSSAI come with detailed instructions on size and exact color specifications. For example, the symbol to indicate non-vegetarian ingredients should be brown in color and should be 4mm for packages of size 100-500 sq.cm.

The exact color to be used can be verified before being used.

3. Not using enough contrast in packaging

Packaging color plays an important role when shaping consumer perceptions. But to simplify readability and ensure that content constitution is clearly specified, contrast is important.

For example, the FSSAI logo and license number have to be displayed on the label in contrast color to the background.

4. False advertising and misleading labels

In April 2019, FSSAI introduced strict regulations against false claims and misleading information. For example, soup packages that mention being “healthy” or “nutritious” can’t make this claim since they are high in sodium.

5. Nutritional information on the front of the package

While most of the packaging information is displayed on the back label, it’s mandatory to mention important information on the front of the package.

The amount of energy, total fat, trans fat, total sugar and salt per serving and the percentage contribution to the recommended daily allowance, should be clearly mentioned in the format specified by FSSAI.

Trying to follow regulations as part of your design workflow can be challenging. But it’s recommended to double-check your labelling and artwork before heading off to printing. Here’s why artwork proofing needs to be a part of your packaging design process.

How can artwork proofing help?

Artwork proofing tools are essential for streamlining the packaging design and label approval process. These tools ensure accuracy and compliance, addressing critical aspects like color accuracy, font checks, dimensional accuracy, and regulatory compliance. Automated compliance makes it easy to check for regulatory compliance and catch any packaging error, streamlining your workflow every step of the way.

1. Seamless regulatory compliance

Automate label compliance with AI-driven tools that:

• Automatically verify label information against FSSAI regulations using custom rulesets.

• Run automated checks from saved rulebooks for barcodes, ingredients, net quantities, and more.

• Detect errors and inconsistencies (e.g., incorrect nutritional data, missing disclaimers).

• View errors and matches in a detailed results card and tag team members to implement changes in real time.

• Enable seamless collaboration between branding, regulatory, and packaging teams, ensuring swift adjustments without disrupting workflows.

2. Improved quality control

Quality assurance becomes faster and more reliable with streamlined collaboration features:

• Use annotations and markup tools to leave actionable feedback directly on artwork files.

• Tag team members to address specific issues, minimizing miscommunication and improving design accuracy.

• Compare different versions of artwork PDFs instantly with version comparison tools to identify changes.

3. Faster corrections

Artwork proofing tools speeds up the artwork review and approval process:

• Use online proofing tools such as measurement scale, font finder, spell check, and more to catch any sneaky typos and minimize human errors.

• Generate detailed regulatory reports to quickly identify and address non-compliance risks.

• Track changes between artwork versions with side-by-side comparisons using three distinct modes.

• Ensure error-free final artwork by inspecting print drafts through one-to-many comparisons.

• Provide precise feedback with markup tools that let you circle, underline, highlight key elements, and place comments exactly where they’re needed.

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Make compliance a part of the packaging design process

The best way to eliminate the risk of label non-compliance is by automating the entire label compliance process from start to finish. By leveraging automation, you can ensure your food labels consistently meet FSSAI standards without manual effort.

Why use AI for label compliance?

AI-driven label checks allow you to:

• Verify compliance automatically by creating custom rulesets tailored to specific needs.

• Identify errors or inconsistencies in packaging labels, such as incorrect nutritional information, wrong barcode, or missing disclaimers.

• Accelerate the review process by reducing manual tasks with online proofing tools.

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Questions to consider:

• How are you currently managing industry packaging standards?
• What steps do you take to ensure compliance with FSSAI regulations?
• Do you feel confident in your current artwork review and proofing process?

If you’re unsure about any of these areas, or simply want to explore how artwork proofing tools can streamline your workflow, book a demo with the Artwork Flow team.

Frequently asked questions

1. What are the FSSAI food labelling regulations?

FSSAI food labeling regulations are guidelines set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to ensure transparency and safety for consumers. These include displaying essential details like the food's name, ingredients, nutritional values, vegetarian/non-vegetarian status, manufacturer details, FSSAI license number, and expiry date. Compliance with these regulations is mandatory for all packaged food products sold in India.

2. What foods are exempt from food labels?

Certain foods are exempt from labeling requirements under FSSAI regulations, such as:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Food served for immediate consumption (e.g., restaurants or catering).

• Products in bulk packaging meant for industrial or institutional use.

• Homemade or artisan foods sold directly to consumers without packaging.

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3. What are the mandatory criteria for food labelling?

Food labeling must include essential details like:

• Name of the food product.

• Complete list of ingredients.

• Nutritional information (calories, fat, protein, etc.).

• Declaration of additives, if used.

• FSSAI logo and license number.

• Expiry or "Use By" date.

These criteria ensure product safety, quality, and transparency for consumers.

4. What is the PDP and IP?

• PDP (Principal Display Panel): The front-facing part of the food package where key details like the product name, net quantity, and FSSAI logo are displayed.

• IP (Information Panel): The side or back section containing detailed information like ingredients, nutritional values, and instructions for use.  

5. How are ingredients listed on a food label?

According to FSSAI regulations, ingredients must be listed in descending order of their weight or volume as used in the product. This means the ingredient used in the highest quantity appears first, followed by others in decreasing amounts.

If the product contains additives such as preservatives, colorants, or flavor enhancers, these must be specifically declared. For instance, "Preservative (E202)" or "Color (INS 102)."

For compound ingredients (e.g., chocolate chips in a cookie), the breakdown of that ingredient must be provided if it constitutes more than 5% of the product. For example, "Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Emulsifier)."

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