Regulations 8 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 8 to 10 of the Advertising and Claims Regulations, 2018 deal with three groups of claims: claims related to dietary guidelines or healthy diets (regulation 8), conditional claims, such as "naturally low" and words like "natural" and "fresh" (regulation 9), and prohibited claims (regulation 10), including disease cure claims, doctor-recommended claims and claims that undermine competitors.
The text is read as amended up to 13 December 2022 (FSSAI Compendium Version IV dated 14.12.2022). FSSAI compendia are reference consolidations and the Gazette text prevails. Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in. A label or campaign can be checked against these regulations through FSSAI label compliance.
A food may be described as part of a healthy diet only by reference to the ICMR Dietary Guidelines for Indians, but foods shall not be described as "healthy" or in a manner implying that the food in itself imparts health. A claim that a food is by nature high or low in a nutrient needs the word "natural" or "naturally". No claim may refer to prevention, alleviation, treatment or cure of a disease, unless another regulation permits it.
Regulation 8: dietary guidelines and healthy diets
- 8(1) Claims may be made related to a "healthy diet" or any synonymous term referring to the pattern of eating as per the current Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dietary Guidelines for Indians, and the label shall carry a statement relating the food to the pattern of eating described.
- 8(2) Foods described as part of a healthy diet or balanced diet shall not be based on selective consideration of one or more aspects of the food, and shall also satisfy the criteria for other major nutrients under the current ICMR Nutrient Requirements and Recommended Dietary Allowances for Indians and the ICMR Dietary Guidelines for Indians, based on scientific evidence.
- 8(3) "Foods shall not be described as 'healthy' or be represented in a manner that implies that a food in and of itself will impart health."
- 8(4) Flexibility in wording is acceptable if the claims remain faithful to the pattern of eating outlined in the ICMR documents.
The line drawn is between a food and a diet. A claim may link a food to a pattern of eating, with a label statement, but the single word "healthy" applied to the product is not allowed. The word "healthy" also appears in the Regulations' general principle that advertisements shall not undermine healthy lifestyles (regulation 4(10)); see our article on the general principles.
Regulation 9: conditional claims
9(1) A claim may be made where a food is by its nature high or low, or has none, of a specific nutrient, provided the name of the nutrient or substance is preceded by the words "natural" or "naturally" in the claim statement. The Explanation gives the form: "a naturally low (naming a nutrient or substance) food" and a corresponding "naturally" form for the zero-level case. So a food that is low in fat by its nature, such as a plain vegetable, may be described as naturally low in fat, with the word "naturally" in the claim.
9(2) Claims containing adjectives such as "natural", "fresh", "pure", "original", "traditional", "Authentic", "Genuine", "Real" and the like, when used, shall be in accordance with the conditions in Schedule V. Claims with words or phrases like "home-made" or "home cooked", which may give an erroneous impression to the consumer, shall not be used. Schedule V is covered in our article on natural, fresh, pure and authentic.
Regulation 10: prohibited claims
| Sub-reg. | The text, in short |
|---|---|
| (1) | No claims referring to the suitability of the food for use in the prevention, alleviation, treatment or cure of a disease, disorder or particular physiological condition, unless specifically permitted under any other regulations under the Act |
| (2) | No words on the label of a food package such as "recommended by the medical or nutrition or health professionals" or any words which imply or suggest that the food is recommended, prescribed or approved by medical practitioners or approved for medical purpose |
| (3) | No product shall claim the term "added nutrients" if such nutrients have been added merely to compensate the nutrients lost or removed during processing |
| (4) | Foods for special dietary uses or special medical purposes shall not carry a claim unless specifically permitted under any other regulations |
| (5) | No claims which give rise to doubt or suspicion about the safety of similar food or which may arouse fear |
| (6) | No health claims for foods that contain nutrients or constituents in quantity that increase the risk of disease or an adverse health-related condition |
| (7) | No advertisements or claims by any food business operator that undermine the products of any other manufacturer for promoting their products or influencing consumer behaviour |
Regulation 10(1) is a bar on disease claims for ordinary food. It has one exception: where another regulation under the Act permits the claim. Regulation 10(6) closes a gap: even a permitted nutrient claim cannot be wrapped in a health claim when the food, because of a nutrient in it, increases the risk of disease. And 10(7) bars comparisons that denigrate a rival.
An invented example: Millet Magic sells a ready-to-eat millet porridge. It may print "naturally low in fat" if the product is low in fat by its nature, with the condition in the Explanation. It may not print "healthy", "doctor recommended" or "helps cure diabetes". Its leaflet says "unlike other brands which use harmful chemicals": that is a claim that arouses fear and undermines others under 10(5) and 10(7).
Where this sits
The positive claims are in regulation 5 and Schedule I and regulation 7 and the Schedules. Approval of a claim that is not covered is in regulations 11 and 12. Penalties under the Act are in section 53 (misleadingly labelled food) and section 24.
Need help with claim wording?
Prohibited claims often arrive through marketing copy rather than the label. Our FSSAI label compliance service can review packs, leaflets and social media posts against regulations 8 to 10.
Key takeaways
- Healthy-diet claims must follow the ICMR Dietary Guidelines for Indians and carry a statement relating the food to the pattern of eating.
- A food shall not be described as "healthy" in itself.
- Claims that a food is by nature high or low need "natural" or "naturally" before the nutrient.
- "Home-made" and "home cooked" claims are not permitted.
- No disease cure claims, doctor recommendations, "added nutrients" for restored nutrients, fear claims or claims undermining other products.
Read next
- Regulation 7 and Schedules II–IV: health claims
- Regulations 11 and 12: approval of claims
- Section 53, FSS Act: misleadingly labelled food
- Health and nutritional claims on food labels
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.