Compliance
Food Label Compliance Checklist for Manufacturers
Complianceer Team · Sep 5, 2026 · 6 min read
FSSAI food label checklist under the Labelling and Display Regulations 2020: mandatory declarations, veg logo sizes, FSSAI number, allergens, claims and dates.
Quick answer: Under the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, every pre-packaged food label in India must show the product name, ingredients, nutrition information, veg or non-veg symbol, food additive declarations, brand owner name and address, FSSAI logo and licence number, net quantity, MRP where applicable, lot or batch number, date of manufacture or packing, best-before or use-by date, and country of origin for imports. The product name and veg or non-veg symbol must be on the front of the pack.
Labels are the easiest place for inspectors, marketplaces and competitors to spot non-compliance, and fixing them after a print run is expensive. Misbranded food can attract a penalty of up to ₹3 lakh under Section 52 of the FSS Act, and misleading claims up to ₹10 lakh under Section 53. Use this checklist before you approve artwork.
Mandatory label declarations
| Declaration | What to check |
|---|---|
| Name of the food | True nature of the product; standardised name if an FSSAI standard exists |
| List of ingredients | Descending order by weight at the time of manufacture |
| Nutritional information | Energy, protein, carbohydrate, sugars, fat and other required nutrients per 100 g or 100 ml and per serve |
| Veg or non-veg symbol | Green circle in green square, or brown triangle in brown square, on the front of pack |
| Food additives | Class title with name or INS number, for example Preservative (INS 211) |
| Name and address | Brand owner's full name and address |
| FSSAI logo and licence number | Brand owner's number, plus manufacturer, packer or marketer if different |
| Net quantity | By weight or volume as per Legal Metrology rules |
| Retail sale price | MRP inclusive of taxes, where applicable |
| Consumer care details | Phone or email for complaints |
| Lot or batch number | For traceability |
| Date marking | Date of manufacture or packing, plus best before or use by |
| Country of origin | For imported food |
| Instructions for use | Where needed for safe use |
Front-of-pack requirements
FSSAI's labelling FAQs confirm that the product name and the veg or non-veg logo must appear on the front of pack, not only on the back panel. The veg or non-veg symbol must sit close to the product or brand name on a contrasting background. These requirements apply even to small packs.
Veg and non-veg symbol sizes
| Principal display panel area | Veg circle diameter | Non-veg triangle side | Square outline side |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 sq cm | 3 mm | 2.5 mm | 6 mm |
| Above 100 up to 500 sq cm | 4 mm | 3.5 mm | 8 mm |
| Above 500 up to 2,500 sq cm | 6 mm | 5 mm | 12 mm |
| Above 2,500 sq cm | 8 mm | 7 mm | 16 mm |
If egg is the only non-veg ingredient, you may add a declaration saying so alongside the brown symbol.
FSSAI logo and licence number
- Print the FSSAI logo and licence number in a colour that contrasts with the background
- Show the brand owner's licence number on every pack
- If the manufacturer, packer or bottler is different, show their licence number too
- Imported food shows the importer's FSSAI logo, licence number, name and address
- Use the number exactly as on your certificate; verify it on FoSCoS before printing
Allergens and special declarations
Declare common allergens such as cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, tree nuts, soy and sulphites at 10 mg/kg or more. Schedule II of the regulations lists specific warnings, for example for products with added caffeine, polyols or plant stanols. These declarations must be at least 3 mm high based on the lowercase letter l.
Claims need extra care
Words like "natural", "fresh", "pure", "traditional", "sugar-free", "high protein", "organic" and "fortified" are regulated. Claims must follow the FSS (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, nutrient thresholds and, for organic products, the organic certification rules. Health claims need scientific substantiation. Online listings must match the label exactly, as FSSAI's December 2024 ecommerce advisory makes clear.
Pre-print checklist
- Confirm the product name matches its FSSAI standard or approved category.
- Check the ingredient list order against the recipe by weight.
- Calculate nutrition values from lab tests or recognised databases.
- Place the veg or non-veg symbol on the front at the right size.
- Add the FSSAI logo and every required licence number in contrasting colour.
- Declare additives with class names and INS numbers, and allergens.
- Check net quantity, MRP and consumer care details under Legal Metrology rules.
- Leave space for batch number, packing date and best-before.
- Review every claim against the regulations.
- Get a compliance review before signing off artwork.
Complianceer's packaging and labelling compliance service reviews artwork before printing, and our Legal Metrology registration team handles packer registration.
Common label mistakes
- Veg logo only on the back panel, or too small for the pack size
- Missing manufacturer licence number for contract-manufactured products
- Additives listed without class titles or INS numbers
- Claims like "no added sugar" on products with sugar-containing ingredients
- Nutrition values copied from another product
- Date format that is unclear or easily rubbed off
Frequently asked questions
What are the mandatory labelling requirements for food in India?
Pre-packaged food labels must show the product name, ingredients, nutrition information, veg or non-veg symbol, additives, name and address, FSSAI logo and licence number, net quantity, MRP, batch number, dates and country of origin for imports.
Where should the veg or non-veg logo be placed?
On the front of the pack, close to the product or brand name, on a contrasting background. FSSAI does not allow it only on the back panel.
What size should the FSSAI veg logo be?
It depends on the principal display panel. For panels up to 100 sq cm, the green circle is at least 3 mm in diameter inside a 6 mm square. Larger panels need larger symbols.
Do I need to print the manufacturer's FSSAI number on my label?
Yes, if the manufacturer is different from the brand owner. The label shows the brand owner's FSSAI logo and number plus the manufacturer, packer or marketer's licence number.
What is the penalty for wrong food labels?
Misbranded food can attract a penalty of up to ₹3 lakh under Section 52 of the FSS Act. Misleading claims or advertisements can attract up to ₹10 lakh under Section 53.
Which regulation governs food labelling in India?
The Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, along with the Advertising and Claims Regulations and Legal Metrology packaging rules.