Regulation 2 3 14 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.
Clauses (11) to (21) of regulation 2.3.14 continue the conditions of sale begun in clauses (1) to (10). They stop several products being sold loose, set pack-weight ceilings for multi-source edible oil, table margarine and fat spread, and add conditions for asafoetida, powdered spices, katha, artificially sweetened products, irradiated food, and an industrial trans fatty acid ceiling for foods made with oils and fats. Packers who want pack sizes and labels reviewed can use FSSAI compliance support.
The text is read as amended up to 23 May 2026 (FSSAI Compendium Version XI dated 02.04.2025, consolidated to the notification of 17 October 2024, and the notification of 23 May 2026 omitting regulation 2.3.14(8)). FSSAI compendia are reference consolidations and the Gazette text prevails. Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in.
Multi-source edible oil, fat spread and coloured, flavoured table margarine may be sold only in sealed packages: multi-source edible oil up to 15 Kilograms, margarine and fat spread up to 500 gms. Powdered spices and condiments may be sold only in packed conditions, compounded asafoetida above one kilogram only in a sealed labelled container, and irradiated food only pre-packed. Foods using edible oils and fats must not contain industrial trans fatty acids above 2% by mass of the total oils and fats present, on and from 01 January 2022. Manufacturers, packers, vending operators and retailers are covered.
Numbering in the compendium
The compendium prints clause (16) and then clause (19); the lines between them are marked "omitted". No clauses (17) and (18) are printed, and the gap is noted here rather than filled. Clause (21) follows (20) in the same sub-regulation and is covered below.
Table of clauses
| Clause | Subject | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| (11) | multi-source edible oil | not in loose form; sealed package weighing not more than 15 Kilograms; tamper proof container |
| (12) | coloured and flavoured table margarine | sealed package weighing not more than 500 gms with label declaring colour and flavour |
| (13) | fat spread | not in loose form; sealed packages not more than 500 gms; the word "butter" not associated |
| (14) | compounded asafoetida | above one kilogram only in a sealed container with a label |
| (15) | powdered spices and condiments | only under packed conditions |
| (16) | katha made by bhatti method | conspicuously marked "Bhatti Katha" |
| (19) | artificial sweetener products | only under packed condition, per labelling requirements |
| (20) | irradiated food | pre-packed only |
| (21) | industrial trans fatty acids | not more than 2% by mass of total oils and fats, from 01 January 2022 |
Clause (11): multi-source edible oil
Inserted by the notification of 8 March 2021, clause (11) says multi-source edible oil shall not be sold in loose form. It shall be sold in a sealed package weighing not more than 15 Kilograms, in a tamper-proof container. It must not be sold under the common or generic name of the oil used in the blend, but only as "Multi-source edible oil", under the label declarations the Regulations provide. The words "Multi-source edible oil" replaced an earlier term by the notification of 5 September 2022.
The proviso to regulation 2.1.1 speaks of a pack of not more than 15 litres, while clause (11) says 15 Kilograms. Both are printed as they stand, so a packer should note the two units in the text. The opening article of this series, on regulations 1.1, 1.2 and 2.1, covers 2.1.1.
Clauses (12) and (13): margarine and fat spread
Coloured and flavoured table margarine shall be sold only in a sealed package weighing not more than 500 gms, with a label declaring the addition of colour and flavour. Fat spread shall not be sold in loose form, only in sealed packages weighing not more than 500 gms. The word "butter" shall not be associated while labelling the product. Both labelling references name the 2011 Packaging and Labelling Regulations, since replaced by the Packaging Regulations, 2018 and the Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020; see our articles on those instruments.
An invented example: Golden Spread Foods plans a coloured and flavoured table margarine in a large tub for institutional customers. Clause (12) allows that product only in a sealed package weighing not more than 500 gms, so the pack size has to fit the clause before launch.
Clauses (14), (15) and (16): asafoetida, spices and katha
No person shall sell compounded asafoetida exceeding one kilogram in weight except in a sealed container with a label. No person shall sell powdered spices and condiments except under packed conditions; the Explanation says spices and condiments means those specified in 2.9 of the Food Products Standards and Food Additives Regulations, 2011, and our sister article on spices and condiments covers that standard. Katha prepared by the bhatti method shall be conspicuously marked "Bhatti Katha".
Clause (19): artificial sweeteners
No person shall sell any food product in which an artificial sweetener is permitted under these regulations, except under packed condition and as per the labelling requirements in regulation 2.4.5 (24, 25, 26, 28 and 29) of the 2011 Packaging and Labelling Regulations. The proviso, inserted by the notification of 21 July 2020, deals with vending machines: the food business operator shall display on the vending machine prominently, and cause to be labelled on the cup or container, the sweetener information as per regulation 2.4.4 (24, 25, 26, 28 and 29). The two cross-references carry different regulation numbers (2.4.5 in the main clause and 2.4.4 in the proviso); the text is printed as it stands. The Explanation says a vending machine here does not include those serving pre-packaged beverages and food.
Clause (20): irradiated food
All irradiated food shall be sold in pre-packed conditions only. The packaging material for sale, stock for sale, exhibition for sale or storage for sale shall conform to the packaging and labelling requirements in regulation 2.4.4 of the 2011 Packaging and Labelling Regulations. For the standard itself, see the sister article on radiation processing of food.
Clause (21): industrial trans fatty acids
Foods in which edible oils and fats are used as an ingredient shall not contain industrial trans fatty acids more than 2% by mass of the total oils and fats present in the product, on and from 01st January, 2022. The definition of industrial trans fatty acids is in regulation 1.2. Our post on the FSSAI direction on trans fat limits covers the topic generally.
Who must act
Oil and margarine packers, spice grinders, katha makers, vending operators and food irradiation units should check pack weights and label lines against each clause. The earlier clauses are in our article on regulation 2.3.14 clauses 1 to 10, and the oil and fat rules continue in the article on regulation 2.3.15. Packers can ask for FSSAI compliance support to check their pack sizes and labels.
Need help with pack-size and label conditions?
Pack weights, tamper-proof closures and declarations are where samples and inspections usually start. Our FSSAI compliance support service can review your packs and labels clause by clause.
Key takeaways
- Multi-source edible oil, margarine and fat spread cannot be sold loose.
- Powdered spices and condiments must be sold in packed conditions.
- Compounded asafoetida above one kilogram needs a sealed, labelled container.
- Irradiated food is sold pre-packed only.
- Clause (21) caps industrial trans fatty acids at 2% by mass of the oils and fats in the product, from 01 January 2022.
Read next
- Regulation 2.3.14 clauses 1 to 10: conditions for sale
- Regulation 2.3.15: vegetable oil and fat sale
- FSSAI direction on trans fat limits
- Spices and condiments: FSSAI food standards
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.