Regulations 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.
Regulations 1 to 4 of the Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020 say what the Regulations cover, define terms such as front of pack, multi-unit package and non-retail container, and set the general rules every pre-packaged food label must meet: truthful presentation, English or Hindi, a label that stays on, and clear, legible print.
The text is read as amended up to 24 March 2026 (FSSAI Compendium Version VIII dated 09.09.2025; the First Amendment Regulations, 2026 apply from 1 July 2027). FSSAI compendia are reference consolidations and the Gazette text prevails. Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in. Brands that want their packs checked against the rules can use our FSSAI label compliance service.
The Regulations prescribe labelling of pre-packaged foods and the display of essential information on premises where food is manufactured, processed, served and stored. Label particulars must be in English or Hindi in Devnagri script (other languages may be added if they do not contradict). The compendium notes compliance with effect from 1 July 2022 under a Direction of 22 October 2021, and chapter 3 (display in food service establishments) was due by 1 January 2022.
Regulation 1: scope and commencement
Regulation 1(1) gives the title. Regulation 1(2) says the Regulations prescribe the labelling requirements of pre-packaged foods and the display of essential information on premises where food is manufactured, processed, served and stored. Regulation 1(3) says they came into force on publication in the Official Gazette, and that food business operators shall comply after one year from publication, except chapter-3, to be complied with by 1st January, 2022. The compendium adds a printed note: compliance with effect from 1st July, 2022 vide Direction F.No.REG/L&D-Extension/FSSAI-2021 dated 22nd October, 2021.
The principal Regulations were published on 17 November 2020 and, as the closing note of the compendium records, amended by notifications dated 10 September 2021, 9 September 2022, 11 October 2022 and 8 August 2025. Regulation 13 provides that these Regulations supersede, if repugnant, the labelling requirements in any other regulations made under the Act; see our article on regulations 10 to 13. Older texts that still cite the Packaging and Labelling Regulations, 2011 should be read with these Regulations and the Packaging Regulations, 2018.
Regulation 2: definitions
Regulation 2(1) has twenty-two clauses, (a) to (v). The ones that matter most for label work are:
| Clause | Term | Meaning, in short |
|---|---|---|
| (b) | Assorted pack | A package or container with multiple units of different food products for retail sale, complying with regulation 4(8) |
| (c) | The date-of-minimum-durability marking | The date that signifies the end of the period under stated storage conditions during which the food remains fully marketable and retains its specific qualities; beyond it the food may still be safe, though quality may have diminished; the product shall not be sold if it becomes unsafe (printed in the Regulations under its usual two-word name) |
| (d) | Children or child | A person under the age of 18 years as defined in the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 (the age limit for a specific food category may be indicated in the relevant regulation) |
| (e), (f) | Date of manufacture; date of packaging | The date the food becomes the product as described; the date it is placed in the immediate container in which it will be sold |
| (g) | e-commerce | Buying and selling of goods and services over a digital and electronic network |
| (h) | Foods for catering purposes | Foods for use in restaurants, canteens, schools, hospitals, quick service restaurants, home delivery operators, caterers and similar institutions where food is offered for immediate consumption |
| (i) | Front of Pack | The part of the package that faces forward (in the principal field of vision), typically the first thing a consumer will see |
| (j) | Infant | A person not more than twelve months of age |
| (k) | Labelling | Any written, printed or graphic matter on the label, accompanying the food or displayed near the food |
| (l) | Lot, code or batch number | The identification mark by which the food can be traced in manufacture and identified in distribution |
| (m) | Multi-unit package | A package containing two or more individually packaged or labelled units of the same food commodity, for retail sale |
| (n) | Non-retail containers | A container not intended to be offered for direct sale to the consumer, for further business activities |
| (o), (v) | Non-vegetarian food; vegetarian food | Food containing whole or part of any animal including birds, insects, fresh water or marine animals or eggs or products of any animal origin, but not milk, milk products, honey, bees wax, carnauba wax or shellac; vegetarian food is any other food |
| (q) | Recommended dietary allowances (RDA) | The average daily dietary nutrient intake level sufficient to meet the requirement of nearly all (97 to 98 per cent.) healthy individuals in a life stage and gender group; ICMR values apply, else Codex or WHO |
| (r) | Pre-packaged food | Food placed in a package in such a manner that the contents cannot be changed without tampering and which is ready for sale to the consumer |
| (s) | Principal display panel | The part of the package intended or likely to be displayed or examined by the customer under normal conditions of display, sale or purchase |
| (u) | Use by or expiry | The date that signifies the end of the estimated period after which the product may not remain safe; the food shall not be sold or distributed for human consumption |
The remaining clauses are "Act" (a), "Package/container" (p) and "Retail pack" or "Retail unit" (t). Regulation 2(2) borrows meanings from the Act, rules and regulations. The meaning of "label" and "misbranded" in the Act is explained in section 3 of the FSS Act.
Regulation 3: internal mechanism
The FSSAI "may establish an internal mechanism to address the problem arising out of implementation/interpretation of the regulations". The text gives no further detail.
Regulation 4: general requirements
| Sub-regulation | Rule |
|---|---|
| 4(1) | Every pre-packaged food shall be labelled with the information required under the Regulations unless otherwise provided |
| 4(2) | When food is sold through e-commerce or any other direct selling means, the mandatory label requirements shall be provided to the consumer through appropriate means before sale, except batch or lot number, the durability date marking, use by date, expiry date and date of manufacturing or packing |
| 4(3) | No false, misleading or deceptive description, or one likely to create an erroneous impression regarding character |
| 4(4) | Other information or pictorial device may be shown if not in conflict with the Regulations |
| 4(5) | Declarations in English or Hindi in Devnagri script; other languages may be added, but shall not contradict the English or Hindi |
| 4(6) | The label shall be applied so that it will not become separated from the container |
| 4(7) | Contents shall be clear, unambiguous, prominent, conspicuous, indelible and readily legible under normal conditions of purchase and use |
| 4(8) | An outside container or wrapper displayed for retail sale shall also carry all declarations, unless it is transparent and the package declarations are easily readable through it; for a transparent multi-unit package, the label of at least one retail unit must be visible |
A map of the rest of the Regulations
Regulation 5 lists the labelling requirements (name of food, ingredients, nutrition, veg and non-veg symbols, additives, address and licence number, net quantity, date marking and more), covered in articles on regulation 5(1) and (2), 5(3), 5(4) and (5), 5(6) to (9) and 5(10) to (15). Regulation 6 deals with the principal display panel; regulations 7 and 8 with mandatory declarations and exemptions; regulation 9 (chapter 3) with display in food service establishments; and regulations 10 to 13 (chapters 4 and 5) with non-retail containers and food additives. Schedules I and II are covered in articles on Schedule I logos, Schedule II part 1 and Schedule II part 2.
Notified change, in force from 1 July 2027
The Labelling and Display First Amendment Regulations, 2026 (F. No. STD/SP-08/A1.2022/N-01, 24 March 2026) come into force on 1 July 2027. They change regulation 5(3), regulation 8, regulation 10 and parts of Schedules I and II, and are explained in the articles named above on those provisions. Until then the text described here applies.
An invented example
Green Valley Snacks sells a multi-pack of three different biscuit packets in a transparent wrapper, and also lists the pack on an online marketplace. Under regulation 4(8), because the wrapper is transparent, at least one retail unit's label with the declarations must be visible. For the online listing, regulation 4(2) means the mandatory label particulars must be shown to the buyer before sale, except batch number, the durability date marking, use by date, expiry date and date of manufacture or packing. The English or Hindi rule in 4(5) applies to all declarations; a Marathi translation may be added if it does not contradict them.
Need help with food labels?
A label that passes on the shelf can still fail online, in a multi-pack or on translation. Our FSSAI label compliance team can check artwork against these general requirements and the specific rules that follow in regulation 5 onward.
Key takeaways
- The Regulations cover pre-packaged food labels and display of information on food premises.
- Compliance is noted from 1 July 2022 under the Direction of 22 October 2021; chapter 3 was due by 1 January 2022.
- Front of pack, principal display panel, non-retail container and multi-unit package are defined terms.
- Label particulars must be in English or Hindi in Devnagri script; other languages may be added without contradiction.
- A 2026 amendment applying from 1 July 2027 changes regulations 5(3), 8 and 10 and parts of the Schedules.
Read next
- Regulation 5(1) and (2): the name of the food and the ingredients list
- Regulation 6: the principal display panel
- FSSAI labelling requirements: a complete guide
- Packaging and labelling of food: section 23
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.