FSSAI Labelling Update 2026: Key Changes and Compliance Guide for Food Businesses

What Food Businesses Need to Know Before 1 July 2027

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) First Amendment Regulations, 2026, which will come into force from 1 July 2027.

These amendments introduce important updates to the existing Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020. The changes impact multiple areas including infant nutrition, minimally processed foods, nutraceuticals, small pack exemptions, non-retail packaging, fortified foods, pan masala advertisements, and sweetener declarations.

1. Infant Nutrition Labelling

• Per serve percentage contribution to Recommended Dietary Allowances
• Number of servings per pack

These may not be required for infant nutrition products as defined under the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020.

2. Definition of Minimally Processed Foods

The amendment introduces a clearer definition covering:

• Raw agricultural minimally processed products such as wheat, rice, cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables
• Single ingredient products

Explanation provided:

• Foods slightly altered mainly for preservation
• No substantial change in nutritional content
• Processes may include:
  
  • Cleaning
  • Removal of inedible parts
  • Grinding
  • Refrigeration
  • Pasteurization
  • Fermentation
  • Freezing
  • Vacuum packaging

3. Nutraceuticals, Health Supplements and FSDU

Updated provision applies to:

• Health supplements
• Nutraceuticals
• FSDU

Specifically for:

• Tablet, pill and capsule formats
• Where macronutrients are present but energy contribution is insignificant

4. Small Pack Exemption

For packages with surface area up to 100 square centimetres:

• Logos notified under FSS regulations may not be required
• However, this information must be provided on multi-unit packages

5. Non-Retail Packaging Requirements

5.1 Mandatory Information

Every packaged food meant for non-retail sale must include:

• Name of the food
• FSSAI logo and license number
• Date marking and storage instructions (where required)
• Lot number or batch number or code number
• Name and address of manufacturer or packer
• Country of origin in case of imported products

Additional condition:

• If multiple foods are present, details must be provided for each

5.2 Information Through Documents

If not on label, the following must be provided in accompanying documents:

• List of ingredients
• Veg or non-veg declaration
• Net quantity

Conditions:

• Information must be traceable to the food
• Can be provided through documents or electronic means
• Applicable especially for transport units where labels are not feasible

5.3 Identification of Non-Retail Containers

Every non-retail package must be clearly identifiable.

If not clearly identifiable, it must include:

• NON-RETAIL CONTAINER
• NON-RETAIL CONTAINER – NOT FOR DIRECT SALE TO CONSUMER

Or any other mark indicating it is not intended for direct consumer sale

5.4 General Labelling Requirements

All required information must be:

• Clear
• Prominent
• Readily legible

Additional requirement:

• Labelling must be applied in a manner that any tampering is evident
• Mandatory information must be placed prominently and be easily accessible

6. Fortified Food Labelling

Every fortified food package must include:

• Statement: “fortified with (name of the fortificant)”
• Specified logo

Optional:

• Tagline “Sampoorna Poshan Swasth Jeevan”

7. Pan Masala Advertisement Warning

• Warning must be clearly legible
• Warning must be audible in advertisements

8. Sweetener Declarations

Updated declaration applies to:

• Aspartame
• Acesulfame
• Their combinations

Declaration requirement:

• Not recommended for phenylketonurics
• Not recommended for children
• Not recommended for pregnant or lactating women

Additional update:

• Term replaced from “pregnant and lactating mothers” to “pregnant or lactating women”
• Repetition of information may not be required for combination sweeteners

9. What This Means for Food Businesses

Businesses should prepare for:

• Label review and redesign
• Packaging updates
• Compliance verification
• Documentation and traceability systems

What This Means for Your Business

These updates will require businesses to take several actions:

• Label redesign to include new declarations and improve readability
• Packaging changes to meet safety and visibility requirements
• Compliance review across all product categories
• System upgrades to support traceability and digital disclosures

How to Prepare for the Deadline

Start early to ensure a smooth transition before July 2027.

• Conduct a detailed label audit across all products
• Identify high impact categories such as nutraceuticals and infant foods
• Update packaging artwork and compliance statements
• Train internal teams including regulatory, marketing, and packaging
• Plan phased implementation instead of last-minute changes

Why Early Compliance Matters

• Delaying compliance can result in penalties, product recalls, and business disruption.
• Early preparation helps ensure smoother operations, stronger regulatory confidence, and better brand credibility.

How Regacats Solutions Can Support You

• Regacats Solutions provides end-to-end support for FSSAI compliance.
• Our FSSAI regulatory services include label audits, artwork review, regulatory advisory, product classification, and documentation support.

Get in Touch

• Email contact@regacats.in
• Phone +91 9211921474

Reach out to us for expert guidance on navigating these changes.