Part 5 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Part 5 of the Alcoholic Beverages Regulations, 2018 (regulations 5.1 to 5.12) lists what every alcoholic beverage label must carry in addition to the general labelling rules: alcohol content, the standard drink, the limits on geographical names, bans on health claims, extra declarations for wine, a date for lower-strength drinks, allergen statements and the statutory warning.
The text is read as amended up to 19 November 2025 (FSSAI Compendium Version V dated 04.12.2025). FSSAI compendia are reference consolidations and the Gazette text prevails. Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in. A brand owner who wants a label reviewed can use FSSAI label compliance before artwork is final.
Alcohol content is shown as per cent abv or as proof; a standard drink is 12.7 ml of abv at 20 degrees C; no health claim may be made; the words 'non-intoxicating' cannot be used above 0.5 per cent abv; and every package carries the statutory warning "CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH. BE SAFE-DONT DRINK AND DRIVE." in the sizes printed. These rules apply in addition to the general labelling rules.
The opening line
Part 5 begins: "In addition to the general labeling provisions specified in the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, as applicable, every package containing alcoholic beverages shall also provide the following information on the label". The 2011 Regulations have been replaced; the current rules are the Packaging Regulations, 2018 and the Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020. Our article on the general requirements of the Labelling and Display Regulations and the overview FSSAI labelling requirements cover the base layer.
Regulations 5.1 to 5.4: strength, standard drink, GI, imports
- 5.1 Alcohol content shall be expressed as per cent. abv or as proof. 5.1.1 The pot distilled alcohol shall be labelled as 'Pot-Still', 'Pot-Still Distilled' or 'Pot-Distilled' on the package.
- 5.2 One standard drink is the amount of beverage that contains 12.7 ml of abv as measured at 20 degrees C. The label may include a statement of the approximate number of standard drinks in the package. The printed note gives the example of a 750 ml bottle at 8 per cent. alcohol, labelled "contains approximately 4.8 standard drinks", accurate to the first decimal place.
- 5.3 Geographical indicators (GI) or names may be used on the label solely for products originating from that region. Such products shall be registered under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 and meet the country-specific regulations for GI products of the country of origin, conform to the heavy metal and microbiological limits under these Regulations and other regulations under the Act, and meet the labelling requirements.
- 5.4 For imported alcoholic beverages, the Import Regulations, 2017 apply; see our article on labelling and shelf-life of imported food.
Regulations 5.5 to 5.8: what a label may not say
| Rule | Text |
|---|---|
| 5.5 | An alcoholic beverage shall not contain any nutritional information on the label except energy content in kcal; that declaration is voluntary |
| 5.6 | No health claim shall be made on an alcoholic beverage |
| 5.7 | The label of a beverage containing more than 0.5 per cent abv shall not use the words 'non-intoxicating' or words implying similar meaning |
| 5.8 | Food containing alcohol must not be represented in a form which expressly or by implication suggests that the product is a non-alcoholic confection or non-alcoholic beverage |
Regulation 5.5 was substituted by amendment. Together with 5.6, it means an alcohol label cannot carry a nutrition panel in the usual form; only a voluntary energy figure in kcal is allowed. For claims in general, see our article on advertising and claims.
Regulation 5.9: wine labels
In addition to 5.1 to 5.6, the label on wine shall also:
- indicate the origin (country or state) of the wine and declare the range of sugar;
- declare the generic name of the variety of grape or fruit used in descending order of quantity, or the raw material used, geographic origin and vintage year, provided such claims are made;
- declare the name of residues of preservatives or additives present as such, or in modified forms, in the final product;
- declare the name of the place, region, sub-region or appellation, if 75 per cent of the grapes come from that place;
- carry the name of a grape variety, if the wine is made at least 75 per cent from that variety; and
- carry a date of vintage, if at least 85 per cent of the wine comes from that vintage.
Regulation 5.10: date for lower-strength drinks
An alcoholic beverage other than wine which contains less than 10 per cent alcohol "shall mention the date, month and year of expiry on the label, in that order" preceded by the words "Expiry date" or "Use by". The manufacturer may also use the usual two-word date-of-minimum-durability expression as optional or additional information. Wine and drinks at 10 per cent or above are outside this clause.
Regulation 5.11: allergen warnings
If the wine contains more than 10 mg sulfur dioxide per litre, the label must declare "Contains sulfur dioxide or Contains sulfite" (5.11.1). If egg white or isinglass, as a fining or clarifying agent or other processing aid of animal origin, is used in wine, it shall be declared on the label with a non-vegetarian logo if residues are present in the final product (5.11.2). The general allergen rules are discussed in our article on allergen declarations.
Regulation 5.12: the statutory warning
The warning is printed in English: "CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH. BE SAFE-DONT DRINK AND DRIVE." If a State wishes it in a local or regional language, that is allowed "without the need for repeating the English version". By amendment, the size of the statutory warning shall not be less than 1.5 mm for pack sizes of up to 200 ml, and for pack sizes above 200 ml not less than 3 mm.
An invented example: Malabar Cellars exports a sparkling wine and also sells a 180 ml bottle in India. The 180 ml bottle needs the warning at not less than 1.5 mm; a 750 ml bottle needs not less than 3 mm. Both labels must show the sugar range, the origin and, if the vintage claim is made, that at least 85 per cent of the wine comes from that vintage.
Where to go next
The standards in Parts 2 to 4 say what each beverage is; Part 5 says what the pack must disclose. Read Part 1 for the general requirements (definitions and general requirements) and the Tables for the numbers (Tables 1 to 4 and Annexure-1). Labelling mistakes can fall under the Act's provisions on misbranded food.
Need help with alcohol labels?
A label that combines strength, standard drink, statutory warning, wine declarations and import rules is easy to get wrong. Our FSSAI label compliance service can check the artwork against Part 5 and the general labelling rules.
Key takeaways
- Strength is shown as per cent abv or as proof; pot distilled spirit carries a pot-still wording.
- A standard drink is 12.7 ml of abv at 20 degrees C; showing the number of standard drinks is optional.
- No health claim; no 'non-intoxicating' above 0.5 per cent abv; only a voluntary energy figure in kcal.
- Wine labels need origin, sugar range and, where relevant, grape variety, appellation and vintage declarations.
- The statutory warning in English (or the State's language) must meet the printed size.
Read next
- Part 1: definitions and general requirements
- Tables 1–4 and Annexure-1
- Part 4: beer and draught beer
- FSSAI labelling requirements: complete guide
Disclaimer: Based on the FSSAI regulations named above as consolidated in FSSAI's compendium versions or as published in the Gazette, with the later notifications the article names (consulted on fssai.gov.in on 2-3 October 2026). Later notifications and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provisions referred to should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.