The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a statutory body established under the Food Safety & Standards Act, has officially announced updated compliance regulations regarding amendments in food labeling provisions. The decision, made during the 45th Food Authority Meeting, outlines key changes and sets forth the timeline for compliance.
Under the powers granted by Section 92 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, FSSAI, with the approval of the Central Government, has the authority to amend the Food Safety and Standards Regulations. At the recent 45th meeting, a critical decision was made regarding the enforcement of amendments to the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, including provisions for labeling in other FSS regulations.
Amendment Enforcement Timeline
The new regulations will come into effect on July 1, with a minimum grace period of 180 days from the date of notification. This timeline applies to all amendments pertaining to labeling provisions as well as any changes to labeling requirements within other relevant FSS regulations. In urgent cases, the implementation or enforcement of specific amendments may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with appropriate actions.
Key Highlights of the Previous Regulations
Previously, FSSAI’s regulations focused on ensuring the correct labeling of pre-packaged foods, with clear mandates for displaying essential information in food manufacturing, processing, storage, and serving locations. Additionally, for food products sold via e-commerce or direct selling channels, mandatory labeling information must be made available to the consumer before the sale.
The previous regulations also stipulated that food labeling must not mislead or deceive consumers. Labels must not present information that could create confusion about a product’s character, nor should they convey false or misleading impressions. The contents of the label must be legible, clear, and indelible, and presented in a way that is easily visible to consumers under normal conditions of purchase and use.
Furthermore, if food products are sold in an external container or wrapper, such packaging must also include all required label declarations unless the wrapper itself is transparent and the product label is clearly visible.
These updates reflect FSSAI’s ongoing commitment to enhancing food safety standards and ensuring transparency in food labeling across India, aligning with international best practices and protecting consumer rights.