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Artwork Management

How to Ensure Your Food Labels Meet FSSAI Standards

12 Mar 2025

Overview

What are FSSAI Food Labeling Regulations?
Common Mistakes that Affect FSSAI Approval
How can Artwork Management Help?
Make Compliance Part of the Packaging Design Process
Frequently Asked Questions

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 must adhere to packaging regulations.

In India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) 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 to the packaging label by the FSSAI.

Vegetarian and non-vegetarian indicators

But with so many rules in place, it’s easy to let errors creep in. Mistakes in food labeling and packaging can delay a product’s launch, lead to recalls, and cost a lot of money.

So, how do you avoid these pitfalls? How can you identify any packaging errors before your product hit the shelves? Let’s explore!‍

Disclaimer: This blog post derives information from the FSSAI website is updated as of December 2024. Please refer to the FSSAI website for final and updated information regarding regulations. WebCenter is a workflow solution and central digital source for managing artwork and label creation, not a service providing legal or regulatory advice.

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, 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 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.

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

As you can see in the image above, Nestea brand’s packaging artwork follows mandatory text on labels as specified by FSSAI.

It’s essential to make a detailed note of these packaging regulations when designing product packages.

However, many companies often fall into the disapproval zone.

Common Mistakes that Affect FSSAI Approval

Choosing the wrong font type and size
Not adhering to logo dimensions or color
Not using enough contrast in packaging
False advertising and misleading labels
Nutritional information on the front of the package

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 must 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 indicating non-vegetarian ingredients should be brown and 4mm in size for packages between 100-500 sq. cm. The exact color to be used should be verified before application.

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 must be displayed on the label in a color that contrasts with the background.

4. False Advertising and Misleading Labels

In April 2019, FSSAI introduced strict regulations to prevent false claims and misleading information. For example, soup packages labeled as ‘healthy’ or ‘nutritious’ cannot make this claim if they are high in sodium.

5. Nutritional Information on the Front of the Package

While most packaging information is displayed on the back label, it is mandatory to mention key details on the front of the package. The amount of energy, total fat, trans fat, total sugar, and salt per serving, along with their percentage contribution to the recommended daily allowance, must be clearly stated in the format specified by the FSSAI.

Following regulations in your design workflow can be challenging. However, it is essential to double-check your labeling and artwork before printing. Here’s why artwork management should be a key part of your packaging design process.

How Does Artwork Management Help?

Artwork management tools centralize and streamline the packaging design process, ensuring seamless collaboration, version control, and compliance. These solutions enable teams to enhance label accuracy, manage approvals efficiently, and reduce errors by addressing key aspects like color consistency and dimensional accuracy.

With built-in compliance checks, artwork management makes it easy to navigate regulatory requirements and catch packaging errors, streamlining your workflow every step of the way.

1. Seamless Regulatory Compliance

Manage artwork and label creation with digital tools that:

Organize your work with access to the most up-to-date information and files.
Report on progress, see rejection reasons, and find bottlenecks with reporting tools.
Enable seamless collaboration among teams.

2. Improved Quality Control

Quality assurance becomes faster and more reliable with artwork review features:

Reduce risk and increase quality by getting artwork right-first-time.
Track best practices and opportunities of your artwork management process.
Generate detailed regulatory reports to quickly identify and address non-compliance risks.

3. Faster Corrections

Artwork management tools speed up the artwork review and approval process:

Review, approve, and compare text through a viewer specific to packaging artwork design needs.
Always know the status of tasks and ensure your team has all the information they need.
View statistics to understand progress, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement

Make Compliance Part of the Packaging Design Process

The best way to eliminate the risk of label and artwork non-compliance is by implementing digital tools to streamline the process from start to finish. With artwork management tools, you can ensure your food labels consistently meet FSSAI standards without manual effort.‍

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 management process?

If you’re unsure about any of these areas, or simply want to explore how artwork management tools can simplify your workflow, book a discovery call today!

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.

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 are 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).”