Regulation 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.
Regulation 5(4) requires every package to show whether the food is vegetarian or non-vegetarian by a coloured symbol, sets the minimum symbol size by the area of the principal display panel, and lists foods that need no symbol. Regulation 5(5) says how food additives and flavours are shown in the list of ingredients.
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 and do not change these two sub-regulations). FSSAI compendia are reference consolidations and the Gazette text prevails. Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in. Brands can have their symbols and additive declarations reviewed through our FSSAI label compliance service.
Non-vegetarian food carries a brown colour filled triangle inside a square with brown outline; vegetarian food carries a green colour filled circle inside a square with green outline. Minimum size depends on the area of the principal display panel, from 3 mm (circle diameter, panel up to 100 cm square) to 8 mm (above 2500). Some foods, such as liquid milk and honey, need no symbol. Additives are declared with their functional class and specific name or INS number.
Regulation 5(4)(a): the non-vegetarian symbol
Every package of non-vegetarian food, containing ingredients including food additives and processing aids of animal origin, shall bear a declaration to this effect made by a symbol and colour code. The symbol consists of a brown colour filled triangle inside a square with brown outline, with sides not less than the minimum size in the table under regulation 5(4)(c). A proviso says that where an article of food contains egg only as the non-vegetarian ingredient, the manufacturer, packer or seller may give a declaration to that effect in addition to the symbol.
"Non-vegetarian food" is defined in regulation 2(1)(o) as food containing whole or part of any animal including birds, insects, fresh water or marine animals or eggs or products of animal origin, but not milk, milk products, honey, bees wax, carnauba wax or shellac; see regulations 1 to 4.
Regulation 5(4)(b): the vegetarian symbol
Every package of vegetarian food containing ingredients including food additives and processing aids of plant origin shall bear a declaration by a symbol: a green colour filled circle inside a square with green outline, having the diameter not less than the minimum size in the table under regulation 5(4)(c).
Regulation 5(4)(c): the size table
| Serial | Area of principal display panel in cm. square | Minimum size of diameters of circle in mm | Minimum size of each side of triangle in mm | Minimum size of each side of square in mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Upto 100 | 3 | 2.5 | 6 |
| 2 | Above 100 to 500 | 4 | 3.5 | 8 |
| 3 | Above 500 to 2500 | 6 | 5 | 12 |
| 4 | Above 2500 | 8 | 7 | 16 |
The area of the principal display panel is worked out under regulation 6; see our article on the principal display panel.
Regulation 5(4)(d): where the symbol goes and which foods are exempt
The declaration shall also be prominently displayed as provided in the regulation on pamphlets, leaflets and advertisements in any media. The symbol shall be prominently displayed on the package, with a contrast background, on the principal display panel, close in proximity to the name or brand name of the product on front of pack. Regulations 5(4)(a) and 5(4)(b) shall not apply in respect of mineral water, packaged drinking water, carbonated water, alcoholic beverages, liquid milk, milk powders and honey.
Regulation 5(5): declaration regarding food additives
Functional classes for food additives shall be declared together with the specific name(s) or recognised International Numbering System (INS) number as specified in the Food Products Standards and Food Additives Regulations, 2011, in the list of ingredients. Our article on section 19 of the FSS Act explains the Act's rules on additives.
Regulation 5(5)(a) deals with flavouring agents: every food to which a flavouring agent is added in accordance with regulation 3.3.1(1) of the Food Products Standards and Food Additives Regulations, 2011 shall have it declared in the list of ingredients, provided that:
- (i) for artificial flavouring substances, the common name of the flavour shall be declared; and
- (ii) for natural flavouring substances or nature identical substances, the class name of flavours shall be declared.
How to apply the rules
| Question | Where the answer sits |
|---|---|
| Does the food need a symbol? | Regulation 5(4)(a) and (b), subject to the exempt list in 5(4)(d) |
| Which symbol? | Brown triangle in a square for non-vegetarian; green circle in a square for vegetarian |
| How big? | The table in 5(4)(c), keyed to the principal display panel area |
| Where? | On the principal display panel, close to the name or brand name, on front of pack, with contrast background |
| Also elsewhere? | Pamphlets, leaflets and advertisements in any media |
| Additives? | Functional class plus specific name or INS number in the ingredients list |
| Flavours? | Common name for artificial; class name for natural or nature identical |
An invented example
Coastal Kitchen sells a ready paste of fish curry in a pack with a principal display panel of 300 cm square. The pack carries a brown triangle in a square with brown outline; the panel falls in serial 2 of the table ("Above 100 to 500"), so each side of the square must be not less than 8 mm and each side of the triangle not less than 3.5 mm. A cousin product, a pure egg noodle, may add an egg declaration next to the symbol under the proviso. Its mango pickle, with no animal-origin ingredient, carries the green circle in a square, and its ingredients list shows a preservative as a class with its name or INS number, and any artificial flavour by its common name.
Need help with symbols and additive declarations?
The symbol rule looks simple until a pack mixes plant and animal origin additives, changes its panel size or sells through advertising. Our FSSAI label compliance team can review the symbol, its size and the additive declaration together.
Key takeaways
- Non-vegetarian food carries a brown triangle in a square; vegetarian food a green circle in a square.
- Size rises with panel area, from 3 mm circle diameter up to 8 mm above 2500 cm square.
- The symbol sits on the principal display panel close to the name or brand name, with contrast background.
- Mineral water, packaged drinking water, carbonated water, alcoholic beverages, liquid milk, milk powders and honey are exempt.
- Additives are declared by functional class with the specific name or INS number; flavours by common or class name.
Read next
- Regulation 5(3): nutritional information
- Regulation 5(6)–(9): address, FSSAI logo, net quantity and batch
- Allergen declaration on food labels
- Regulation 6: the principal display panel
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.